How Air Conditioning and Indoor Air Quality are Linked
Your air conditioning system is an important part of your home, especially during the summer season. No one wants to go through a Texan summer without a way to keep their home cool. Your air conditioner does more than just control the temperature in your home, though. It also affects your indoor air quality in substantial ways. Unfortunately, few homeowners actually know how their air conditioning system is linked with their indoor air quality. If you’re one of those homeowners that want to know more about that link, read on.
The Ducts
If you’re using a centralized air conditioning system, as many people do, then you should know that the ducts in your home serve an important role in both air conditioning and indoor air quality. The average home’s ductwork is rife with all kinds of airborne contaminants, like dust, dirt, pollen, dander, germs, and mold spores. These contaminants build up in the ducts, and then when you turn on your air conditioner you blast them all over the house. Inhaling large concentrations of airborne contaminants can cause all kinds of problems, from allergy attacks to flu infections. It’s best that you have your ducts cleaned every few years, both to increase air conditioner efficiency and to improve your air quality.
Humidity Levels
Due to the methods that air conditioners use to cool your home (evaporating and condensing refrigerant) running one for a long period of time can actually have a dehumidifying effect on the air. For people dealing with an incredibly humid day, this is good news! If you don’t have humidity problems, though, it can be a big problem. Overly dry air makes it harder for your body to defend itself against disease, and makes your home itself more brittle. Not to mention it causes all kinds of annoying issues like dry skin.
There’s not a whole lot you can do about the air conditioner itself drying out your air. That’s simply a side effect of how it operates. What you can do if it’s bothering you, though, is install a humidifier in your home. Humidifiers are a great way to counteract chronic dryness in the home, and can restore your humidity levels to a balanced state.
Remember, all advice we give here, while true, is not ever going to be as good as having a qualified professional look over your home for you. If you’re concerned about the state of your air conditioner, or your indoor air quality, the best thing you can do is call a contractor you trust and have them evaluate your home. They’ll be able to identify issues that need solving, and offer the best solutions for your needs. Make sure you do that sooner, rather than later. No point in wallowing in whatever issue is affecting your home before getting it fixed, after all.