We spend roughly 90 percent of our time indoors – including inside our homes and at our work offices. Most of us assume the air in our homes and offices is naturally cleaner and safer to breathe than the outdoor air, especially during the summer months when smog periodically infiltrates the warm outdoor air.
But you might be surprised to learn that the quality of our indoor air can be up to 100 times more polluted than the outside air. In fact, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has ranked indoor air pollutants among the top five environmental risks to public health.
Here are other thought-provoking statistics related to indoor air quality:
- Poor indoor air quality costs businesses as much as $168 billion every year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Medical care and absenteeism add substantially to these costs.
- At least 50 percent of illnesses are caused or aggravated by poor indoor air quality, The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology has found.
- A study cited by Kimberly-Clark Corporation found that for every 10 workers, poor indoor air quality caused an additional six sick days per year.
And COVID-19, a respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus that can be transmitted through the air, has motivated us to become more circumspect about the air we breathe. It is understandable that we are so focused on making sure the air in our homes and businesses is as clean and pure as possible.
Your AC System Can Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
Your HVAC system can not only keep you cool and comfortable during the hot summer months in the Tri-Cities, but it can also improve – and in some cases drastically improve— the quality of the air in your home and office. This is why it is so important to maintenance your HVAC system before summer to ensure it is in good working order.
How does your AC system play a role in enhancing air quality inside? It begins with the air filters inside your HVAC system.
If your HVAC system is performing optimally, the air filters inside will thoroughly filter the outside air as it enters your home. The HVAC air filters capture a wide variety of particles that naturally end up in our indoor air. These filters act as a buffer, keeping your home mostly free of these contaminants. When it is working as it should, your AC system maintains a consistent temperature that also promotes healthy indoor air quality.
The air you inhale at work or in your home is filtered through your HVAC system, which pulls air in from the outside. If your AC system is not functioning properly or serviced regularly, the outdoor pollutants that flow into your home will stay in your home. When you have a poorly operating AC system, pollutants can become trapped inside your equipment and ductwork. Your indoor air quality problems could be made worse if neglected HVAC maintenance results in moisture problems.
A good quality cooling system will regulate the relative humidity inside your Tri-Cities home or office, and this helps improve the air you breathe. In contrast, poor humidity – whether it’s too high or too low – could bring about mold, mildew, fungus, bacteria, and viruses.
So, regularly scheduled preventative maintenance of your HVAC system – especially in the spring and fall – will help to ensure your energy system is working efficiently. A well-designed and maintained AC system will be your best tool for keeping your air clean and healthy in your home or office.
Look to Apollo Heating and Air Conditioning to Help You Achieve Optimally Clean, Healthy Air in Your Home or Office with our HVAC Systems
Look to the HVAC experts at Apollo to ensure your energy system is in excellent condition and operating at optimal efficiency, while also helping to keep your indoor air of the upmost quality!
In light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Apollo Heating and Air Conditioning wants to make you aware of a product that pro-actively treats every cubic inch of conditioned air in your home or business. Our In-Duct LED Air Purifier is a whole-home air purification system that reduces airborne and surface contaminants, viruses, and pollutants, all through bi-polar ionization.
Apollo field technicians will work closely with you in deciding what HVAC system is the best, and tailor it to fit your unique needs and preferences, and indoor environment! We are committed to delivering premium quality HVAC service, maintenance, products, and documentation in Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, and beyond!
Learn more by contacting Apollo Heating and Air Conditioning! Call us at (509) 396-COLD (2653).
