Air Conditioners need maintenance for best air quality results
Air quality is an important contributing factor to our overall health and wellbeing. Whether you are
generally healthy or may have a medical condition, understanding how to maintain good air quality can
add a significant amount of years to your life and even lower the risk of contracting respiratory
illnesses. Ongoing exposure to poor air quality can have detrimental effects on one’s health and has been
proven to cause a range of illnesses and disease.
While natural air is known to be the best quality, this largely depends on the factors of the external
environment. Unfortunately air pollution is widespread and found in almost all neighborhoods these
days, even in relatively rural areas. Vehicle emissions, factories, wildfires, smoking, and even farming
chemicals are major contributors to our poor environmental air quality.
Some of the key measures for maintaining good indoor air quality is through managing air temperature
control, humidity, and air cleanliness including; dust, various particles, and airborne odors. Managing
all of these elements can be achieved with your air conditioning unit or HVAC system.
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted many building management authorities and public health
officials to recommend upgrading HVAC systems to help mitigate the spread of the virus. HVAC filters
and air cleaners that achieve a rating of MERV 13 or better on performance are highly effective. Also,
the United States Environmental Protection Agency has confirmed that HVAC filters can help reduce
airborne contaminates, including viruses, in buildings and small spaces.
Running AC With Poor Outdoor Air Quality – Is It Safe?
Considering the proven ruinous effects of air pollution, it is not far fetched to wonder whether or not it
is safe to run your AC unit when weather reports show extremely poor air quality. AC units draw air
from outside, so on the surface it may seem unsafe–especially when there is visible smoke or strong
odors present outside. We can assure you that it is perfectly safe to run your unit and there is no need to
worry about outside pollution coming into your home or business. Air conditioning units and HVAC
systems are equipped with filters which remove pollutants and filter particles from the air.
Testing Air Quality
Testing the air quality in your home or business is very important and should be performed every few
months, or once per year at a minimum. Having a highly efficient air-conditioning unit with up to date
maintenance is a great way to sustain optimal air quality. That said however, there are other elements
that negatively impact air quality which cannot be managed through the HVAC system alone.
These elements include mold spores, some toxic gasses, and volatile organic components (VOCs); which are
gasses and residues deposited into the air from household products like cleaning solutions,
disinfectants, air fresheners, and even some household paints.
There are many ways to test the quality of the air circulating in your space including: carbon monoxide
detectors, conducting mold tests, radon tests, and multi-functioning air quality control monitors.
Improving Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
One sure way to improve your indoor air quality is with a high efficiency air-conditioning unit or
HVAC system. Common causes for low indoor air quality include: poor ventilation, humidity, pets,
dust, and volatile organic components (VOCs). Every AC unit and HVAC system will not have the
capacity to eliminate all of the causes for poor air quality but performing regular HVAC maintenance
measures can significantly improve your IAQ. These measures include:
• Air Duct Checks & Cleanings
• Deep Cleaning Vent Covers
• Humidity Control Measures
• Changing Air Filters
• AC Furnace Function Checks
In addition to regular AC unit and HVAC systems maintenance, another way to improve air quality is to
invest in a photocatalytic filter for VOC mitigation. Photocatalytic oxidation is a scientifically proven
method for removing toxic VOCs and purifying indoor air.
Get in touch with Hellas Air Temp. We will inspect your air conditioners or HVAC unit and recommend improvements.