An HVAC system is exposed to high levels of airborne contaminants as air passes through the equipment. When these contaminants settle within the system, they diminish indoor air quality in your Birmingham, AL home or business. Additionally, these pollutants hurt the equipment’s performance. Learn more about the contaminants in your system and how to prevent damage.
Contaminants in HVAC Systems
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air indoors can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. An HVAC system is exposed to this pollution as air passes through the equipment during the heating and cooling processes.
HVAC systems may be exposed to the following contaminants, depending on factors specific to each home or business:
- Combustion byproducts from fuel-burning appliances
- Tobacco smoke
- Pet dander and hair
- Mold and mildew
- Dust
- Dirt
- Pollen
- Bacteria
- Viruses and
- Carpet fibers.
As air circulates through the system, these contaminants settle. They’re found in ductwork, in equipment cabinets and on components. Over time, contaminants build up where they impact system performance.
These pollutants reduce performance, and also sometimes cause damage to components. Ultimately, this damage often necessitates an HVAC repair or component replacement.
Prevent Harm to Your HVAC System from Pollution
Pollution exposure is inevitable due to the nature of the work an HVAC system performs. Fortunately, there are measures to reduce the amount of pollution in your system. Limit the system’s contaminant exposure, and also reduce the risk of damage and performance problems.
Douglas Cooling & Heating’ NATE-certified technicians professionally perform and install solutions for better indoor air quality, as well as improved system performance.
Preventative maintenance tune-ups
Preventative maintenance tune-ups go a long way toward undoing the damage of contaminant exposure. During a preventative maintenance tune-up, a NATE-certified heating and cooling technician cleans debris from HVAC system components.
He or she removes buildup from equipment cabinets and parts. This maintenance task eliminates large amounts of contaminants in the system. Additionally, it prevents them from HVAC system circulation.
High-efficiency air filters
An excellent defense against contaminants in your HVAC system is high-efficiency air filters. Furnace filters with MERV ratings of 8 or higher remove higher amounts of smaller contaminant particles versus low-rated filters.
This prevents the entrance of more pollution and potential damage. Change your furnace filters on a regular basis to ensure the filter provides the level of defense needed.
Duct cleaning
As pollution circulates through an HVAC system, it often settles within the duct system. Ductwork harbors pollutant accumulation, where these contaminants circulate into the system. Duct and vent cleaning removes pollution from within the duct system.
This improves indoor air quality and prevents damage to sensitive system components. Additionally, it dramatically improves your indoor air quality.
Air cleaners
When you install a media air cleaner with your HVAC system, it will keep more contaminants out of your indoor air supply. By extension, it also keeps them from your HVAC equipment.
Media air cleaners use high-efficiency air filters to remove more harmful contaminants from your indoor air supply. If a loved one lives with respiratory illness such as allergies, asthma or COPD, these reduce many of the triggers.
Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers work with your HVAC system to eliminate excess moisture. Too much poses a threat to your HVAC equipment, as well as your indoor air quality. A dehumidifier balances relative humidity levels throughout the year.
Dehumidifiers also maintain controlled environments and prevent mold, mildew and dust mite growth within your HVAC system.
Douglas Cooling & Heating Cares About Your Comfort and Safety – Let Us Make Your HVAC System a Partner in Your Health
Rid your HVAC system of harmful contaminants for improved heating and cooling performance. A healthy HVAC system keeps your Birmingham, AL home or business more comfortable throughout the year. So contact Douglas Cooling & Heating today for the solutions you need for a cleaner HVAC system.
