indoor air quality Archives - Richmonds Air Houston

Home Air Purification Tips and Keeping COVID-19 Out of the Air Your Breathe

June 8, 2020 by Richmond’s Air

We’re all looking for ways to keep ourselves and our families healthy by protecting against COVID-19. With so many of us stuck at home, whether it’s due to a stay at home order from your local government or a self-imposed quarantine, the indoor air quality of our homes has never been more important!

Common indoor air pollutants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has found that the air inside of your home can be as much as 2 to 5 times more polluted than the air we breathe outside. Indoor air pollutants can include:

Bacteria
Dander
Dirt

Dust
Mold

Pollen
Viruses

Any one of these microscopic biological contaminants can wreak havoc on the young, the elderly and those who are immunocompromised. These findings were true before we had a global pandemic to worry about.

6 tips for healthier indoor air quality

Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to improve the air quality inside your home:

1. Consider a UV light

You can get a germicidal UV light installed in your HVAC system that, if properly installed, helps kill bacteria and mold in your home.

2. Have good airflow

Good air circulation will let stagnant air move out of your home. To achieve good air circulation, you can occasionally open your doors and windows to create a cross breeze. If this option isn’t possible due to allergies, you might want to invest in a ventilator system.

3. Install an air purification system

Air filtration systems use a series of filters to clean the air in your home. HEPA filters, for instance, are a highly effective type of fiber filter that essentially sanitizes the air. It’s important to determine which type of air filter is best for you and your family based on your individual needs.

4. Make sure your system is clean

Dirty filters are much less effective than clean filters. Additionally, running your HVAC system with a dirty filter can cause your system to work harder and reduce the lifespan of your unit.

5. Keep your home’s humidity low

A whole-home dehumidifier, installed by a professional technician, is the perfect way to reduce the humidity levels in your house. The EPA recommends you keep your indoor humidity to between 30-50 percent. Higher humidity levels tend to allow mold and bacteria to thrive, harming your home’s indoor air quality.

6. Clean and inspect ductwork

If you don’t periodically clean the accumulated dander, dirt and dust out of your home’s HVAC ductwork, it could allow bacteria, mold and viruses to hang around your system.

Can an air purification system really help?

Here in Houston, many people rely on a heating and cooling system that keeps their homes closed off from not just the cold and heat, but also the pollen in the spring and fall months. Having optimal air quality inside the home is vital for allergy sufferers.

In these instances, while your AC unit may be equipped to handle the larger and visible particles in our everyday air (like dust), they aren’t typically able to handle microscopic particles such as dander, pollen and germs.

This is where an air purification system can help.

To combat the things you can’t see (i.e. germs and pollen), air purification systems utilize multi-layered filters to trap these smaller particles and prevent them from recirculating back into your home. For protection against smaller airborne particles (bacteria), you’ll want to choose an air purification system that can handle HEPA filters. Viruses can be trickier since they are even smaller particles. But even virus particles can be filtered out when they’re in the form of a larger sneeze droplet.

Air purifiers are not curative

While your respiratory system acts much like an air purification system and can help reduce the quantity of pollutants you inhale, installing one in your home probably isn’t going to make your allergies or asthma go away completely — nor is it going to guarantee that you won’t catch a cold, the seasonal flu or any other virus.

What you can expect if you install an air purification system, however, is less irritation to your respiratory system and fewer allergic reactions—both of which can improve your quality of sleep, which will, in return, help your immune system work optimally.

So rather than preventing illness, the benefits of an air purification system are in helping improve your quality of life by helping you stay healthy.

Home air quality and COVID-19

While improving the quality of the air inside your home won’t necessarily keep you from catching COVID-19, it can help improve your overall health, which will make it more comfortable to live in your home if you’re under a stay at home order.

In order to help reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, follow these 4 tips from the experts:

Wash your hands frequently, with soap and warm water, for at least 20 seconds. Increase your washing frequency if you’ve been in public or you have coughed, blown your nose or sneezed. If access to soap and water are not possible, use hand sanitizer.
Don’t touch your eyes, mouth or nose.
Practice social distancing. Avoid gathering in public places and close contact. If you’re feeling ill, stay at home.
Keep your personal space clean. If you’re an essential worker, keep your office/workspace clean and frequently disinfect. Focus especially on frequently touched objects like phones, doorknobs, toilets, light switches and electronics (phones, mice, keyboards, etc.).

Here at Richmond’s Air, we are trying to do our part to help stop the spread of COVID-19. While we’re not currently scheduling routine maintenance appointments, we are still available for emergency unit repair and installations for those of you in the greater Houston, TX area.

Stay healthy, and we look forward to helping you with your HVAC needs!

Humidifier vs. Dehumidifier: Babies

October 9, 2017 by Richmond’s Air

When you begin prepping your home for a new baby, there are many factors to consider. Supplies like bottles, clothes and diapers are likely high on your list, but have you thought about a whole home humidifier or dehumidifier?

Maintaining healthy humidity levels in your home is important regardless, but with a baby it becomes even more significant since dry or humid air can accelerate potential health problems. Air that’s too humid can increase the growth of mold and other allergens, while dry air can cause coughing or colds.

So how can you tell which is right for your baby?

Take a Look at Where You Live

The first step in deciding between a humidifier and dehumidifier for your baby is to take a look at the air quality where you live. Some locations have higher humidity than others. It’s also important to consider the time of year. The winter months are likely to bring much drier air than summer.

Dehumidifier or Humidifier?

As you probably know, dehumidifiers take moisture out of the air while humidifiers put more moisture back into it.

Dehumidifiers are designed to help control mold growth, bacteria and dust mites from overly humid spaces like basements. Many agree that unless your baby is sleeping in a basement room or your home is not equipped with air conditioning, a dehumidifier may not be a necessary purchase for your baby.

Humidifiers, on the other hand, put moisture into air when it’s too dry. The dry air in the winter and the constant air conditioner running in the summer can cause the air in your home to become drier than you think. Babies are more susceptible than adults to dry sinuses, dry skin, stuffy noses and other symptoms associated with low humidity. A humidifier can help your baby sleep through the night as well as avoid dry skin and respiratory problems all year long.

Read more in our “Humidifier vs. Dehumidifier” series to see which is best for nosebleeds as well as allergies and nasal congestion.

Forget to Change Your Air Filter? Try an Electronic Filter Monitor

October 2, 2017 by Richmond’s Air

Air filters are vital parts of your home air conditioning system. They serve to trap dirt, dust and other allergens as air circulates through your system.

Like most technology components, air filters need to be replaced with time; otherwise, the buildup of dirt and allergens can actually slow your system’s efficiency.

If you’re like most, you probably forget about your air filter until it’s so dirty that your system suffers. As an answer to this common issue, the electronic filter monitor was born.

What’s an electronic filter monitor?

An electronic filter monitor tracks the status of your air filter continuously. It keeps track of how well your air filter is working at any given time and lets you know the minute your air filter stops filtering as optimally as it should.

Depending on the specific model you choose, your electronic air filter may have the capability to send email or text alerts letting you know your filter should be changed. Real-time status reports may also be available to help you take control of your air quality.

How does an electronic filter monitor help?

With the use of an electronic filter monitor, you can keep a close watch on your system, allowing you to address potential filter problems before they even arise. This saves you from losing your cold air in the middle of summer or unintentionally breathing in harsh allergens.

A clogged air filter prevents your system from running optimally, forcing your system to work harder and causing your energy bills to go up. Being able to monitor your air filter status will help you stay on top of the efficiency of your system.

Richmond’s Air provides professional HVAC services and products to all of Houston and the surrounding areas. Contact us today to learn more about how you can maintain your home’s air in comfort.

Humidifier vs. Dehumidifier: Dry Skin

September 25, 2017 by Richmond’s Air

Dry skin happens to most people at some time or another, especially when the weather starts to turn cold. Low humidity and cold, dry air can take its toll on the uppermost layers of your skin by zapping the moisture right out. Other causes of dry skin include age, sun exposure and frequent washing.

Luckily, there are a few ways you can ease your dry skin even in the dead of winter – starting with one of the easiest solutions: a home humidifier.

How Low Humidity Causes Dry Skin

When air is low in humidity, it prevents your skin from absorbing moisture. This means epidermal skin cells shrivel up and leave behind rough patches on areas of your body. Itching is most common; however, dry skin can crack and cause soreness or even bleeding.

How Humidifiers Can Help

While applying skin lotions and drinking the right amount of water can certainly help control your dry skin, a humidifier is a solution that will help keep your air moist regardless of other factors.

Humidifiers work by releasing moisture into your air whenever humidity levels drop below a healthy level. Your home’s humidity should stay between 40-60%, and a humidifier can help ensure this is the case. This higher humidity will help your skin cells retain moisture and avoid cracking.

Continue reading to learn more about how humidifiers and dehumidifiers can improve your overall health.

Humidifier vs. Dehumidifier: Bronchitis

September 4, 2017 by Richmond’s Air

The humidity level in your home is very important for maintaining your overall health. Too much humidity can increase mold growth, while too little can cause dry skin or respiratory problems.

Another health issue that can be complicated by improper humidity levels in your home is bronchitis, a condition where the bronchial tubes become swollen and infected. This makes natural air flow much more difficult.

Luckily, adjusting the humidity levels in your home can help relieve some of the symptoms associated with this dreaded illness.

What is Bronchitis?

Bronchitis occurs when the mucous membranes and lining of your bronchial tubes becomes inflamed. The bronchial tubes are responsible for carrying air to your lungs. Bronchitis can cause individuals to cough up a thickened, discolored mucus and often starts with a cold or flu.

Acute bronchitis is a fairly common occurrence; however, chronic bronchitis can occur in some individuals where the bronchial tube lining is constantly irritated. This can be caused by smoking.

Should I Use a Humidifier to Prevent Bronchitis?

A humidifier works by releasing constant moisture into the air, helping maintain a healthy level of humidity in your home. Slightly moist air can help soothe your bronchial tubes and release the buildup of discolored mucous. This can help soothe symptoms until the virus runs its course.

Humidifiers can also be used to combat common cold, allergy, and nasal congestion symptoms.

Have a question about your indoor air quality? Contact Richmond’s Air, a top HVAC company offering repair, maintenance and installation services to the greater Houston area – including Katy, Texas.