Girl suffering from poor indoor air qualityIn addition to helping reduce energy costs and ensure your system is free problems that could lead to expensive repairs, an annual heating tune up can also improve your indoor air quality.

The Relationship Between Your HVAC System & Indoor Air Quality

When most people think about the purpose of their home’s HVAC system, they think about heating and cooling.  But your heating and air conditioning system is also responsible for the quality of your indoor air.

In many cases, the presence of pet dander, dust, mold, mildew, pollen, chemical fumes emitted by paints, carpeting, cleaners, and fragrances make the air inside our homes less healthy than outdoor air.  If you smoke inside your home, or have indoor pets, the situation can be even worse.

Even if you don’t own pets, their dander can still find its way into your home.  In a recent interview with Web MD, Dr. David Lang of the Cleveland Clinic stated, “Pet owners carry it (dander) around on their clothes and shed it throughout the day. You can’t get away from it.”

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, improper maintenance of residential heating and AC systems is one of the most common causes of poor indoor air quality.

Through normal use, dust, pet dander, and other types of debris accumulate on your heating and air conditioning unit’s filter, which reduces air flow and can lead to higher levels of humidity inside your home. Higher levels of humidity create the ideal environment for mold and mildew growth inside your system, and throughout your home.

Carbon Monoxide Dangers

If your home is equipped with a gas-fired heater, improper maintenance can also put your family at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.  Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas that is a natural byproduct of combustion, which can reach toxic levels inside your home.  Between 1999 and 2012, there were 438 fatalities from monoxide poisoning in the U.S. according to a study by the CDC.

Having a routine heating tune up in the fall and AC tune up in the early spring will ensure your system has adequate air flow, ventilation, and filtration to prevent carbon dioxide and other contaminants from being trapped inside your home.

Don’t take chances with your family’s health and safety.  For more information, or to schedule a heating tune up, call Metro Energy Savers today at 817-572-8700.

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