Tag: breath

Take a Breath of Fresh Air in 2024

Relaxed woman in a green shirt leaning back in a bright space, highlighting comfort for HVAC service awareness.

Breathe Easy With Cleaner Air 

Study after study shows that indoor air is more contaminated than outdoor air. This can shock some people who spend every season suffering from allergies, but the root cause of poor lung health is usually inside the house. At the beginning of the year, when everyone is focused on health, most people overlook that all the time they spend indoors can have a negative effect. Wouldn't it be great if there were easy ways to improve indoor air quality and, by extension, lung health? 

Luckily, cleaning up the air inside the home is a lot easier than it seems. Homeowners can support their resolutions for better health by following a few easy steps. Here are the three best things everyone can do for cleaner air in 2024. 

Resolve to Change the Air Filters 

Person changing air filter in HVAC system, emphasizing importance of regular maintenance for improved indoor air quality and lung health.Stop right now. Set reminders on a calendar to change air filters every three months. Why every three months? Most manufacturers of air filters recommend this period. Three months is a good place to start for the standard air filter available at the hardware store. This year, start by aiming to change filters quarterly. If symptoms don't improve, change them more frequently. 

Some of the factors that can necessitate more frequent air filter changes are: 

  • Dusty home around the environment
  • Presence of pets in the home
  • Housekeeping habits
  • Humidity that can contribute to mold growth
  • Age of the home
  • Indoor plants 
  • Number of people in the household

Upgrade to Air Purifiers or Air Filtration Systems 

Air filters can do a great job of lessening the pollution in indoor air, but they aren't designed to purify the air drastically. If those in the home suffer from lung problems like asthma or allergies, or poor immunity is a problem, more deliberate interventions may be needed. 

To purify air to a greater degree, homeowners can install air purifiers and air sanitizers, depending on their needs. Air purifiers use HEPA filters to remove even the tiniest particles from indoor air, while air sanitizers ionize grime in the air and pulverize biological threats. Both systems can be portable units, but the best way to get these technologies working for those in the home is with whole-home air filtration systems. 

Keep the Home Clean 

Person wearing yellow rubber gloves cleaning a kitchen countertop with a cloth, emphasizing home cleanliness and maintenance.New Year's resolutions are all about making life better. Unfortunately, most people don't get creative enough and resolve to do some small things that will contribute to a better life. When living a healthier, stress-free life, nothing is as valuable as a clean home. 

Keeping the home clean is a chore, but it can be done easily with resolve and discipline. And it supports cleaner air! To make serious strides in keeping the home clean, structure free time during the week to tackle chores. Start by sweeping or vacuuming for 10 minutes a day. Move to different rooms each day. Toss out the clutter that prevents good dusting practices and keep dust clothes handy to wipe down surfaces and remove dust. Use the weekends to launder bedding and bathroom towels. Finally, pull down the curtains and wash them as often as air filters are changed. With these simple habits, 2024 can be the healthiest year yet. 

About Chad's AC Direct

Chad's AC Direct has the latest technology for indoor air quality solutions. They offer handwritten estimates and itemize everything to prevent surprises. Call today for HVAC service in Montgomery, AL. 

Take a Breath of Fresh Air for National Wellness Month

Woman relaxing on a couch in a serene indoor setting with green plants, showcasing the comfort of home.

Understanding Indoor Air Quality 

During August, people celebrate National Wellness Month. National Wellness Month is a great time to start new habits promoting health and wellbeing every year. While most people focus on managing stress and taking a relaxing day off, there is a chance that those things could do more harm than good. 

For those who own aquariums, water quality is one of the chief concerns for keeping the fish alive. Why does no one pay the same attention to the air quality in their homes? With a population that spends more time indoors, the implications of poor indoor air quality can be serious, especially considering that indoor air is many times more polluted than outdoor air. This month, take some advice from those who know. Here is a quick guide to better indoor air quality from local experts who want to see people thrive in healthier air. 

Health Implications of Low-Quality Air 

Child experiencing allergy symptoms, holding tissue to nose, indoors, highlighting health effects of poor indoor air quality.Most people focus on what goes into their stomachs regarding health and well-being. Unfortunately, this means they completely forget about what is going into their lungs. In the wake of a global respiratory pandemic, people should not be so forgetful of their lung health. Some of the complications that arise from constantly being exposed to low-quality air are:

  • Allergies
  • Asthma
  • COPD complications
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Sore throat and nose
  • Sinus problems 

While these symptoms can conspire to make life miserable, there is hope! 

AC Maintenance and Air Filter Changes 

Person replacing an air filter in an HVAC system, emphasizing maintenance for improved indoor air quality and health.Every air conditioner, whether a ductless mini split or a central AC system, needs a series of air filters that must be maintained. The first step in cleaning up the home's air is to ensure filters are replaced or cleaned at least every three months. Air filters can be changed more often for those who continue to suffer ill effects. This can empower homeowners to take control of their health. 

Regular air filter changes can go a long way towards easing the effects of low indoor air quality, but they aren't the only thing. AC maintenance is the next step in ensuring that the air stays clean. Allowing professional AC maintenance technicians to look at the air conditioner annually ensures the AC keeps pumping cool, clean air. 

Air Purifiers and UV Sanitizers 

In many cases, people in a home need air to be cleaner than what high-quality filters can offer. Luckily, there are still two great options for cleaning up the air. For those with allergies, the best option is air purifiers. Air purifiers can be portable units, or they can be installed with HVAC equipment. They are essentially very high-quality filters that remove even the smallest pollutants. 

For those who suffer from general respiratory problems aggravated by dust, UV sanitizers are the best choice. These devices are installed within HVAC equipment, and they constantly pump ions into the air that kill pathogens and cause dust to clump together and fall out of the air. By adding one of these two systems to an HVAC system, owners can get hospital-quality air. 

About Chad's AC Direct

Chad's AC Direct can handle any air quality issues in a home. With written estimates, owners can be confident in the service and pricing they receive. Call today for residential or commercial HVAC service in Montgomery, AL.