Healthy Home Air
BACKGROUND: Air pollution inside a home can be 10 times greater than the levels outdoors. Yet,
the American Lung Association reports 85 percent of Americans do not realize the air in their homes
may be a health hazard. Poor indoor air quality may cause or contribute to the development of
chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. In addition, it can
cause headaches, dry eyes, nasal congestion, nausea and fatigue.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Keep your house clean. Cut down on dust as much as possible. Keep the floors very clean, especially if you have pets. This way, you can reduce or remove asthma or allergy triggers from you home. Keep the windows open often to allow air to circulate. Clean the air by using a stand-alone HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) air cleaning system to help capture airborne particles and common household allergens such as pollen, pet hair or feathers, tobacco smoke particles, dust and mold spores that pass through the air. MOLD: People are exposed to some mold every day with no bad effects. Mold is a type of fungus that spreads by releasing tiny, lightweight spores that travel through the air. Mold grows quickly in moist dark spaces and looks like black cottage cheese. Too much mold is bad for your health and one of the most important reasons to keep up maintenance on your air conditioner. FOCUSING ON YOUR AIR CONDITIONER: Heating, cooling and ventilation systems are frequent sources of biological substances, such as mold and bacteria, which can be inhaled. To prevent pollutants like mold, Cathi Britton, owner of Air First Cooling and Heating of Central Florida, says an air conditioning and heating unit dealer will inspect your windows, doors and duct system. They also check under the house to look for any leakage. Britton says it's very important to change your filters, especially if they are disposable. She suggests switching from a disposable filter to a permanent, more durable allergy filter. She also suggests relocating your unit to another spot if it's located in an enclosed area or under a porch. That way, it won't circulate hot air back inside instead of the cool air. Maintenance for your system generally runs about $60 and Britton says you should have yours checked twice a year - in the spring and in the fall. Maintaining your unit can not only help everyone breathe easier but it can save money in repairs over time. Britton explains, "If you don't maintain what you have in your home, you're going to wake up on Saturday night and it's going to be 100 degrees in your house and it's going to be a few hours to get someone out there." For More Information, Contact:
Cathi Britton
Air First Cooling and Heating of Central Florida
705 Archuf Circle
Winter Garden, FL 34787
(407) 654-7420
(407) 427-0092
Keep your house clean. Cut down on dust as much as possible. Keep the floors very clean, especially if you have pets. This way, you can reduce or remove asthma or allergy triggers from you home. Keep the windows open often to allow air to circulate. Clean the air by using a stand-alone HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) air cleaning system to help capture airborne particles and common household allergens such as pollen, pet hair or feathers, tobacco smoke particles, dust and mold spores that pass through the air. MOLD: People are exposed to some mold every day with no bad effects. Mold is a type of fungus that spreads by releasing tiny, lightweight spores that travel through the air. Mold grows quickly in moist dark spaces and looks like black cottage cheese. Too much mold is bad for your health and one of the most important reasons to keep up maintenance on your air conditioner. FOCUSING ON YOUR AIR CONDITIONER: Heating, cooling and ventilation systems are frequent sources of biological substances, such as mold and bacteria, which can be inhaled. To prevent pollutants like mold, Cathi Britton, owner of Air First Cooling and Heating of Central Florida, says an air conditioning and heating unit dealer will inspect your windows, doors and duct system. They also check under the house to look for any leakage. Britton says it's very important to change your filters, especially if they are disposable. She suggests switching from a disposable filter to a permanent, more durable allergy filter. She also suggests relocating your unit to another spot if it's located in an enclosed area or under a porch. That way, it won't circulate hot air back inside instead of the cool air. Maintenance for your system generally runs about $60 and Britton says you should have yours checked twice a year - in the spring and in the fall. Maintaining your unit can not only help everyone breathe easier but it can save money in repairs over time. Britton explains, "If you don't maintain what you have in your home, you're going to wake up on Saturday night and it's going to be 100 degrees in your house and it's going to be a few hours to get someone out there." For More Information, Contact:
Cathi Britton
Air First Cooling and Heating of Central Florida
705 Archuf Circle
Winter Garden, FL 34787
(407) 654-7420
(407) 427-0092
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