Indoor air quality has always been an area of focus for the HVAC experts here at Whipple Service Champions. We know that regular heating and cooling maintenance and the installation of air purification systems can help homeowners rid their living spaces of excess allergens. Breathing clean air doesn’t just contribute to good health; it helps us live more comfortably.

This is an especially relevant topic now that residents of the Salt Lake City area are hunkering down in their homes to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The quality of the air we breathe matters, whether we’re outdoors or indoors! While we certainly won’t suggest that your HVAC system can protect you from contracting a virus, we can take a look at how it impacts your home environment — and what you can do to improve that environment. 

What Causes Poor Indoor Air Quality?

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air, due to any of the following factors:

• Fuel-burning appliances
• Tobacco smoke
• Cleaning products
• Building materials
• Poor ventilation
• High humidity levels
• Central heating and air conditioning systems

What Health Issues Can Poor Indoor Air Quality Cause?

The air we breathe inside our homes is filled with minuscule particles that we can’t see, and those particles range from regular household dust to bacteria to the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) found in household products. Breathing in these particles can:

• Activate allergies
• Exacerbate existing respiratory conditions
• Irritate the eyes, nose, and throat
• Cause headaches and fatigue

What’s the Solution?

When it comes to indoor air quality, the most crucial element of your HVAC system is your air filter. The sole function of the filter on a furnace or air conditioner is to trap all those potentially unhealthy airborne particles we mentioned earlier. That’s why we can’t overstate the importance of having those air filters replaced every 90 days (60 if you have pets). Our team does this as part of our seasonal HVAC maintenance checks. 

We can, of course, go above and beyond routine maintenance to improve your indoor air quality. Many modern air purifiers are able to seek out and eradicate bacteria and other contaminants, providing you with the benefits illustrated in this infographic.

Whipple Service Champions is here, as always, to enhance the comfort of your living space, whether it’s tuning up a furnace or installing an air purification system. We are an essential business practicing heightened health and safety protocols on all service calls during the COVID-19 crisis. Contact us today to learn more about our indoor air quality solutions or to schedule an appointment!