Spring Cleaning – Ridding Your Home’s Air of Contaminants
As a homeowner, you are likely most concerned with a heating and cooling system that properly heats and cools, which is completely understandable, yet air quality should certainly be put on that list as well. There is no shortage on information about how contaminated a home’s air can become, and there’s a reason: it’s true and it’s extremely important.
Spring has almost sprung and it’s time to plan for a thorough and professional cleaning of your HVAC system and ductwork. Many people are just getting over the winter flu and the last thing they need is to breathe air full of unhealthy particles, dust, and mites.
The Problem
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that the quality of indoor air is of far lower quality than outdoor air, which actually includes allergens. That’s right, there are likely more allergens inside your home than outside where the plants and other irritants are created. In fact, studies by the EPA show that a home’s indoor air quality is two to five times more contaminated than outdoor air, and in extreme cases as much as 100 times as bad. That’s nothing to sneeze at.
Ventilation
Okay, so we know where the problem is: indoors. What can be done? For one, a professional cleaning of your home’s system by a heating and cooling company is needed, particularly if it has been more than a year since the last one. Professional technicians know exactly where the contaminants are and their advanced measuring equipment removes all doubt.
The problem is not really addressed for the long-term, however. If you have a build-up of contaminants in your home, the question to ask is “why?” This is where a visit by a quality heating and cooling company really pays off. Their technology can determine precisely where and how much air is being ventilated, where the air is stagnant, and exactly how to modify your system to properly remove contaminated air from your home. At the end of an inspection, you will have all the information you need to make an informed decision.
Aeroseal
This is definitely something to look into as a homeowner. This revolutionary duct sealant has received numerous awards, from Popular Science magazine to The United States Department of Energy, the latter of which deemed Aeroseal “one of the 23 most beneficial technologies available to American consumers that has come out since the agency was created.”
Having your ductwork properly sealed means that when your HVAC system is professionally cleaned, you can forget about air leaks which can spread or receive contaminants in the system. A nice bonus is a great deal of energy savings – this is not the primary topic, but when the Department of Energy cites that 30% of your HVAC air is lost by seeping out of the ductwork, the home’s #1 energy waster, the potential energy savings of up to 40% is nothing to ignore.
In Southwest Washington State, the original and premier dealer of Aeroseal is Entek Heating and Cooling Company. Check out a video featuring Aeroseal on the television series “Hometime” with Dean Johnson.
Is it time to get a new system?
This is always a big question for a homeowner, but keep in mind that HVAC systems installed before 2000 are quite inferior to more contemporary models – they produce more pollutants and generally have inadequate filtration systems. Today’s array of new systems include energy efficient furnaces, heat pumps, and even ductless heat pumps that cost a bit more on initial investment, but pay off big and get rid of ductwork that can trap unhealthy particles.
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Professionals from a trusted heating and cooling company can take the guess work out of decision-making by measuring your home’s air quality with a wealth of experience and the latest in technology.
Contact Entek HVAC of Vancouver, Washington to fight you home’s contaminants!
Related Reading:
Aeroseal® is Ready for Prime Time on “Hometime”