Indoor Air Quality and You!

According to the Carrier Technical Resource Guide for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), organizations ranging from the EPA, American Heart Assoc., and even the World Health Organization, are now providing statistics that relate indoor air pollutants to increased risk for serious illness and even death. That’s right; some of the worlds leading experts in healthcare are now saying we are at risk just breathing the air inside our homes!! Not only do we need to continue to be concerned with outdoor pollution, allergens and general air quality ratings, we also need to start taking a hard look at the quality of air we and our families breathe when relaxing indoors.

To give you and idea of just how significant IAQ is, the U.S. EPA states, without proper ventilation and air cleaning, indoor air can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air. 2-5 Times!! The effects and causes of outdoor air pollutants on humans, animals and the ozone have almost become ubiquitous now, but how much do we really know about the causes and effects of everyday indoor air pollutants? For instance, most adults will spend about 90% of their lives indoors. That’s 90% of our lives we spend breathing in household dust particles, which can include pollen, mold, bacteria, viruses, pet dander, dust mites, food particles and more. In addition to dust, our lungs have to contend with chemicals released from everyday household items, such as, furniture, paints, carpets and cleaners.

Ok, so I know what you’re thinking. What can I do? I can’t possibly live without my couch and my favorite “Spring Breeze” air freshener! Worry not, there is another solution! Carrier Healthy Air Expert classifies 3 major key points for improving indoor air quality (IAQ). #1- Eliminating the Source– using less toxic cleaners and keeping a generally clean environment. #2- Ventilating the Space– making sure you have the proper air conditioning and cleaning system installed for your home type and size. #3- Filtering the air- keeping up with the regular maintenance and filter changes.

These are small tasks that can make a large difference in how we feel each day, so take a moment and think about when the last time you had your air conditioner serviced. Has it been awhile? Could you and your family be unncessarily breathing in toxins? If so, Kemnitz Air Conditioning and Heating is here to help! Give us a call, it’s a call that could save your health!

**Coming soon – Filters, Air Cleaners and other Purification Products! (Everything you need to know about filtration and more!)**

Allen Kemnitz