We rightfully focus on temperature control for our homes most of the time, which usually means air conditioning systems for the majority of the year. (Heaters come into play during the coolest days of the year, but even in February, the weather tends to be hot rather than cold.) As important as temperature control is to a healthy and comfortable home, it’s not the only factor involved. Indoor air quality can play a huge part in your quality of life, including things like dust, excess humidity, and the proliferation of germs and bacteria.
Luckily, there’s help available. The same people who take such good care of your air conditioner can install, maintain, and fix indoor air quality products that can help your home be as happy and healthy as it can be. Every home is different, and the specific product that’s best for you can depend on your circumstances. Here, however, are three products for you to think about, each of which can improve indoor air quality in different ways.
1. Dehumidifiers
High humidity is a big problem here in Florida. Anytime the relative humidity levels rise above 50% or so, there’s too much ambient moisture in the air to let the sweat evaporate off of your body. Since that’s the natural means your body has of keeping cool, it makes the air feel hotter than it actually is, as well as fostering the growth of germs and bacteria. Air conditioners can handle the problem, but only in a crude manner without any precision, and they can often waste a lot of energy trying to overcome high humidity levels.
A whole-house dehumidifier, on the other hand, can lower humidity levels to the exact amount you need–reducing mold and bacteria growth in the process–while also easing the strain on your air conditioner. A dehumidifier pays dividends throughout the year, but particularly in the summertime, when humidity levels are at their highest.
2. Electronic Air Filters
Most heating and air conditioning systems come with basic filters designed to strain dust and dirt out of the air as the system runs. That can be adequate for some homes, but the filters need to be replaced periodically, and they might not be sufficient. If you suffer from an excess of dust, or you have sensitive family members at home (such as infants or those suffering from asthma), you might want to consider an electronic air filter, which charges any particles–no matter how small–and causes them to stick to a collection pan. That makes your air much cleaner than it might be otherwise.
3. UV Air Filters
If germs and bacteria are of primary concern, consider a UV air filter installed instead. This device shines ultraviolet light across the width of the ducts at their apex. The light is harmless to humans, but will stop germs and bacteria cold on contact. As your air conditioner runs, the air in your home cycles through it, helping to purify the air in the whole house!
If any of these products sounds like a good fit for your Naples, FL home, call Bruno Total Home Performance today!
