While it is always advisable for your health to keep your home clean and your indoor air clear of pollutants, it is arguably even more important now, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The health climate for the foreseeable future dictates that we stay diligent about removing bacteria and germs from our homes. Allergies, mold, and contaminants can creep up on us through dirty HVAC units and can cause or worsen health issues.
Read on to learn how our HVAC units work to improve air quality, combat bacteria, and keep you healthy.
How Our HVAC Units Can Impact Our Health
Our HVAC units circulate the air we breathe through our homes, which is especially significant when you’re home all day every day thanks to mandatory social distancing.
If not cleaned and properly maintained, HVAC units can collect all kinds of bacteria, germs, allergens, and other air pollutants. These contaminants can build up in the places where our air conditioning units collect moisture. They are then forced out through the vents and into the air, where we breathe them into our lungs, which can cause respiratory issues or worsen existing ones.
Keeping Your Family Healthy with Your AC Unit
Our air conditioners keep us comfortable and make sticky, humid summer days tolerable. What can we do to ensure that using them isn’t detrimental to our well-being? There are a few steps you can take to reduce the risks of allergy flare-ups, breathing troubles, and the spread of contagious diseases.
- Change your air filter regularly. Your filter is the front-line defense against contaminants in the air. Make sure your HVAC unit is rated for the strength of the filter you choose. If you’re uncertain if that fancy, HEPA-rated filter will work with your unit, contact the pros!
- Clean your air conditioner. You can typically clean your unit yourself, but if you are uncertain how to safely clean out your HVAC unit or if your AC is difficult for you to clean, call in professionals to clean problem areas and vents. This is doubly important if you’re getting musty or weird smells.
- Have a UV system installed. A UV system uses ultraviolet light to kill bacteria, germs, mold, and fungi. Our Fresh-Aire UV systems can provide an important layer of defense against contaminants in the air. They are installed in your ducts and are designed to disinfect the air as it circulates through the ventilation system, and have been shown to achieve up to a 99.99996% reduction in microorganisms.*
- Schedule regular maintenance. With regular checkups, your HVAC repair person can diagnose problems that otherwise would have gone undetected. Regular checkups also make sure your HVAC system is running at peak efficiency, which prolongs the life of your system and saves you money!
- Clean your air ducts. As moisture enters your home from the outside, it can enter your air ducts and contaminate the air in your home. The humid air may cause mold growth and dust accumulation in your air ducts and can lead to or exacerbate health problems for you and your family. It is recommended that most Jacksonville homes have their ductwork inspected and cleaned at least every three to five years, or sooner if needed.
Stay Healthy with Snyder Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electric
The safety and well-being of our customers is our highest priority. Contact us today for more information on how we can improve the air quality in your home. Please stay safe and healthy!
*Fresh-Aire UV systems are installed within the HVAC system and are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease. The systems have not been tested on Coronavirus and are not medical devices.
