Have you ever wondered what your family is breathing in while at home?
From mould, to pet hair and other pollutants, the air quality in your home is a concern for most families, especially if you have a family member that suffers from respiratory illnesses such as asthma.
So, how can you keep the air clean so that you, your children and pets stay healthy and breathe easy this winter?
Mould prevention and awareness
Mould is an ever-present, pesky fungi that grows both indoors and outdoors.Mould thrives in damp environments with poor ventilation. There are many different variations of mould, all with hazardous potential on family health and safety.
Mould spores can be carried through the air and inhaled by any occupants of your home. Some of the nasty consequences of mould can include; runny noses, irritable eyes and skin, wheezing, and in extreme circumstances, mould infection can occur in the lungs.
For asthma sufferers, mould inhalation can provoke an attack. Those who suffer from cancer, recent organ transplant, chronic lung disease and others who are immuno-compromised are at a particularly high risk of being affected by exposure to mould.
To prevent the growth of mould in your home, the best thing you can do is maintain proper ventilation and reduce dampness and moisture. Ventilation can be improved by turning on the exhaust fans when bathing, showering, and cooking in the kitchen or using appliances in your laundry (both washer and dryer). Whenever the weather permits, open windows to allow fresh air to cross ventilate your home.
To control moisture, you will need to reduce household humidity by limiting the use of humidifiers, curbing the number of fish tanks and indoor plants, and reduce the use of unflued gas heaters. Other moisture control measures include; repairing all water leaks and plumbing issues promptly (e.g. leaking roof, burst water pipes etc.), completely cleaning and drying any water that enters the home (or spills) including wet carpets and building materials. Throw out anything that isn’t able to be thoroughly dried and cleaned.
How can your air conditioning help?
Mould aside, other home pollutants include dust mites and are of particular danger to asthma, allergy and hay fever sufferers. Once again, airflow and humidity levels are big factors in keeping these irritants away. With you air conditioning system providing year-round temperature control it is a powerful ally.
There are various air conditioners and air purifiers on the market, designed to specifically combat dust mites and mould. While mould and mites can be found on anything from furniture and curtains to floors and carpets, temperature control can counter the conditions, and thwart their growth.
What does air conditioning servicing have to do with air quality?
If you have an air conditioning system in your home, simple maintenance and regular cleaning can help ensure the air quality in your home is optimal.
Ducted air relies on the air being forcefully blown through ducts, so you can imagine what you’re blowing through the house when mites and bacteria build up in these areas. While your system will be equipped with a filter to limit this contamination, eventually, the filters get dirty.
Regular cleaning to ensure the vents themselves are sanitary will help to reduce the flow of contaminants in the home, however, regular servicing and maintenance from experienced professionals is ideal.
Ensuring your air conditioning unit is always mechanically sound, and running at peak efficiency will keep your air quality clean and fresh by not overworking the system.
At Clements, we care about your home, your comfort and your air quality.
Clements Air Conditioning & Refrigeration offer a range of maintenance plans and servicing options to guarantee your unit works perfectly all year round, producing clean air and temperature control for the comfort of those you love most.
For more information and to book your air conditioning service in the Hunter Valley, Newcastle, Port Stephens and beyond don’t hesitate to give us a call on (02) 4932 3833.