Dirty Air Filter Archives | PECO Heating & Cooling

Tag: Dirty Air Filter

Why is Indoor Air Quality Important?

Posted on by PECO Heating & Cooling

Why is Indoor Air Quality Important?

GET A QUOTE

Many of us tend to think air pollution is only found outdoors. In fact, the air inside our homes can be as much as 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air. Although many people recognize the hazards posed by outdoor air pollution, there tends to be less concern over the health hazards caused by indoor air pollution—even though it often has the same effects. 

What Causes Indoor Air Pollution?

Indoor air quality refers to the quality of the air in and around buildings—specifically as it relates to human health and comfort. The primary sources of indoor air pollution are items in the home that release particles or gases into the environment. If there’s not enough ventilation to disperse these pollutants, they can build up and become concentrated in the home. High temperatures and humidity levels can also increase the concentration of some pollutants. 

Some of the most common sources of poor indoor air quality include:

  • Gas appliances
  • Tobacco products
  • Building materials and furnishings, such as asbestos-based insulation, carpet, pressed-wood cabinetry, and upholstery
  • Household cleaning products
  • Personal care products
  • Products used for hobbies, such as paint or glue
  • Excess moisture
  • Outdoor sources, such as pesticides
  • Dirty or poorly maintained furnaces or air conditioners
  • Dust
  • Pet dander
  • Cooking

How Does Indoor Air Quality Affect Health?

Indoor air pollutants may cause health issues shortly after exposure or years later. Immediate effects tend to be short-term and go away after treatment. Some immediate effects include:

  • Eye, nose, and throat irritation
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue

Everyone’s reaction to indoor pollutants can vary depending on age, preexisting medical conditions, and individual sensitivity. Long-term health effects may show up years after exposure or after prolonged exposure to indoor air pollutants, including:

  • Respiratory conditions
  • Heart disease
  • Cancer

Even if there are no noticeable symptoms, it’s still recommended to take steps to improve indoor air quality to prevent potential long-term effects. 

How to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Although it may not be possible to completely eliminate allergens and pollutants from your home, there are several simple changes you can make to reduce them and your exposure. 

  1. Clean your home regularly to reduce dust, dust mites, animal dander, and mold. Vacuum the carpets and rugs at least once or twice a week using a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter. Clean up areas of clutter and wash bedding, drapes, and other items that attract tend to attract allergens. 
  2. Use sterile soil for indoor plants and only water them when the soil is dry to prevent mold growth. 
  3. If you have a forced air heating system, change the filters regularly and have the ducts cleaned periodically to remove trapped dust. 
  4. Invest in an air purifier to help capture indoor irritants. 
  5. Consider using a dehumidifier in damp areas of your home to prevent mold growth. 
  6. Open your windows from time to time to allow fresh air to circulate. 
  7. Use fans while cooking to remove fumes from the kitchen. 

For the Best Air Quality Solutions, Contact PECO

Whether you need your HVAC filters replaced or would like to install an air purification system, PECO Heating & Cooling offers a number of air quality solutions to help you breathe easier. Contact us today at (864) 639-2424 to discuss your needs. 

Banish Dust from your Home

Posted on by PECO Heating & Cooling

Do you HATE dusting? Even people that enjoy cleaning often bemoan the need to constantly dust their house. After dusting, then you have to clean the floors and walls and wherever the dust has spread. The worst part? The dust seems to come back immediately! 

If you hate dusting (does anyone like dusting?), it’s time to consider the culprit. While some accumulation of dust is normal, if it feels like you can’t ever get ahead of the grime, your HVAC filter may be to blame. A dirty filter in your air conditioning pushes dust out into your home and is unable to capture contaminants. It can’t pick up new dust because it’s already too choked with old dust. This not only makes your house dusty, but it also decreases air quality. Improve indoor air quality and cut your cleaning time by making sure to change HVAC filters regularly! 

Dust on the floor in vent

When you have clean filters, your HVAC system can actually help you clean. What!? My air conditioning can help me clean? It’s true! An efficient system with a clean filter can help remove particles from the air. Consider running your fan, especially after dusting, to help circulate air and catch large particles. This will help reduce dust and cut down the hours you need to spend time cleaning! Here are some other suggestions to reduce dust:

  • Keep outdoor areas like patios, driveways, and porches well-swept so you’re not tracking dirt in
  • Keep mats and rugs at entry points so that you can wipe your shoes at the door 
  • Use a filter with a higher MERV rating to capture finer particles 
  • Use a vacuum with HEPA filtration 
  • Consider reducing the upholstered items in your home (carpets, upholstered couches, drapes, pillows) in favor of hard services like hardwood that are easily cleaned and don’t harbor dust 

What are your best tips for beating dust?

Feeling sick and can’t quite figure out why? It may be your AC!

Posted on by PECO Heating & Cooling

Heating has been around far longer than air conditioning. In the 1960s, only 12% of people had AC in their homes. While heat has been a necessity for those living in cold climates, air conditioner has been more of a luxury turning into something we depend on. However, routine maintenance is crucial for both your health and the life of your AC. If your AC system is badly maintained, old, or poorly designed, it can easily become contaminated and harmful. Essentially, the air you breathe will start to hurt you. Those with asthma and allergies have it worse than others, but they’d be the first to notice the harm of a contaminated AC system. AC System

Have you ever heard of sick-building syndrome? Maybe heard someone say, “being here is making me feel sick, I’ve got to go”. The most likely cause for this is that there are some microorganisms growing in the air conditioning system. Unlike heating systems surrounding you, the air conditioning process creates added moisture and condensation, which must be channeled away. By not partaking in regular scheduled maintenance on your unit, you risk bacteria and fungi growing and causing harm to you and those around you. It can get as scary as risk of pre-mature death to increased hospital admissions due to cardiovascular issues. AC does have its benefits too aside from the comfort of cool air. The AC filters out particles in outdoor pollutants. During intense heat waves, air conditioning systems save lives. You can even use yours to contribute to bettering the environment. Setting your thermostat a few degrees higher in the summer and a few degrees lower in the winter benefits the environment and will not affect anyone’s health. It’ll also save you a few bucks on your utility bill. Who doesn’t love to save money?

PECO Heating & Cooling specializes in repair, replacement, and maintenance of residential and commercial AC systems. We offer same day or next day service calls for repairs, and have 24 hours a day answering service and online chat. Our expertise, promptness, and customer service make us the best choice for heating, cooling, and electrical needs. Whether you need a diagnostic, repairs, or installation, you can rely on our experienced team. We stand by our work and offer a 1-year parts and labor warranty on all repairs. Contact us today to set up an appointment at (864)-639-2424.