Outdoor air pollutants can enter a building and affect the quality of the air inside. Fortunately, you can prevent outdoor air quality from affecting the quality of the air inside your home or business. With a trusted air conditioning and heating repair company at your side, you are well-equipped to keep pollutants outside of your space.
At Ambient Edge, we understand the dangers of outdoor pollutants. We also make it easy to improve the quality of your indoor air. For more information, please reach out to us.
A Closer Look at the Relationship Between Outdoor and Indoor Air Quality
Outdoor air is essential for life. However, air pollution can compromise your health and the health of the environment. Air pollution and subpar outdoor air quality can cause many problems, such as:
- Bronchitis, asthma, and other health issues
- Acid rain
- Damage to crops and the ozone layer
Like outdoor air, indoor air is important. If pollutants are present inside your home or business, you may breathe them in every day without realizing it. These pollutants can cause you to suffer headaches, dizziness, and other health issues.
With a clear understanding of all that indoor air quality entails, you can plan accordingly. If you have concerns about the quality of the air at your home or business or have never tested it, now may be the time to do so. That way, you can optimize your indoor air quality — and keep outdoor pollutants away.
How Ventilation Impacts Indoor Air Quality
It is beneficial to have some outdoor air enter a building. If you do not let enough outdoor air inside your home or business, pollutants can accumulate indoors. These contaminants can cause health issues that affect you long into the future.
Many buildings are designed to limit the amount of outdoor air that can “leak” in and out of them, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). You can naturally vent air in and out of a building by opening a window or door. Buildings also have ventilation systems that can deliver great results if they are properly maintained.
Without proper maintenance, a ventilation system can hamper the quality of the air indoors. If your building’s ventilation system is defective, it may be impossible to fully remove contaminants from the air. This means contaminants can lower the quality of air indoors and harm your health until you identify and address this issue.
Outdoor Pollutants Can Instantly Enter a Building
You can keep a building’s doors and windows closed. Regardless, outdoor pollutants can enter your premises. It only takes a small crack or gap for a pollutant to enter, and once it does, the damage can be severe.
Along with cracks and gaps, pollutants can get inside of a building through a ventilation system. If it has been a long time since your ventilation system has been evaluated by a professional, it may be in your best interests to schedule an appointment. Then, you can make sure that this system runs at peak levels and will not cause pollutants to enter your home or business.
The team at Ambient Edge can provide tips, recommendations, and insights on how air quality can be improved. We can check the air quality inside your building and remove any contaminants from the air, too. To find out more, please get in touch with us.
It Does Not Take Long to Test Your Indoor Air Quality
To test indoor air quality, you can pick up an air quality test. You can set up the test and track its results. Once the test is finished, you will know what outdoor air pollutants — if any — are present inside your building.
Do not expect the quality of your air indoors to get better on its own. If you find that there is a high concentration of contaminants present, take action right away. There are many simple and effective things that you can do to enhance indoor air quality, such as:
1. Replace Your AC Filter
You may run your air conditioning system constantly but never replace the filter. Ideally, you should change your AC filter every 30 to 90 days. An air conditioning repair company can take a look at your AC system, let you know how often the filter should be switched out, and perform regular system maintenance as well.
2. Replace the Air Filters
Vacuum cleaners and other appliances’ air filters that need to be cleaned and replaced regularly. It can be beneficial to set up a maintenance schedule for checking these air filters. When you do, you can make sure these appliances work as expected and enhance the quality of the air inside your building.
3. Clean Your Air Ducts
Dust, mold, and other contaminants can accumulate inside your building’s air ducts. You can hire a professional to clean your air ducts. This professional can also put you on a maintenance schedule, ensuring you will not have to worry about any air duct issues moving forward.
4. Use a Dehumidifier
Mold and mildew can grow if your indoor environment is moist and humid. To protect against such issues, use a dehumidifier. This helps you maintain a comfortable indoor environment.
5. Pick Up Indoor Plants
Plants help you naturally filter contaminants from the air. Ferns, lilies, and other indoor plants can pull contaminants out of the air. On top of that, these plants can brighten up a home or business.
When you hire an experienced HVAC repair and installation services company, you can get to the root of any air quality issues inside your building and prevent them from recurring. The company can evaluate your indoor air quality and determine if any pollutants are present. If so, the business will work diligently to address the problem before it can get any worse.
Take the First Step to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
If you have concerns about outdoor pollutants entering your home or business, Ambient Edge can help you out. We offer best-in-class air conditioning and heating repair services. Please contact us today to schedule an appointment.