How an Air Conditioner can Make or Break Indoor Air Quality

Given new studies, the typical American devotes about 93% of their time inside. Needless to say, this is quite a substantial quantity of time, specifically when you ponder the effect your HVAC system has on indoor air quality. If a home doesn’t maintain a good IAQ, it could in turn disturb your status of healthiness. That being said, if you or a family member seems to continuously be sick, your HVAC system could be responsible for it. Keep reading for five signals that should not be ignored.

1. Mysterious Tiredness
   After a lengthy day, it's normal to be worn-out and sleepy. Though, if your fatigue combines with faintness, nasal congestion, headaches, skin that has become dry, and an inexplicable outbreak of rashes, it could potentially be a mark of 'sick building syndrome.' Though pollutants and toxins are frequently the cause of this ailment, it’s furthermore likely that your body is battling with insufficient air circulation, meaning the function of how your HVAC system operates is disturbed.
2. Breathing Concerns
   For the most part, those with asthma or breathing-related health concerns receive a diagnosis before the age of twenty. However, it isn't uncommon for adults to suddenly begin developing asthma symptoms. In some instances, your home's HVAC system could factor into sudden asthma symptoms in adults due to the micro-organisms or even black mold that may be growing throughout the system, specifically in the ductwork.
3. Shared Sickness
   
   We all know how easy it is to become ill when someone in our home or office is also sick. However, it is possible to prevent these types of recurrent illnesses by avoiding "stale air," which can appear when a building doesn't have proper circulation. Regularly replacing air filters, maintaining the system and considering an upgrade are all options to help with these types of issues.
4. Lack of Moisture
   Another way to tell if your air conditioner might be making you sick is by looking at your skin and other parts of your body. If you are plagued by dry skin and nasal passages, even during months where there is a lot of moisture in the air, you may find your HVAC system is to blame.
5. Body Pain
   
   For those who already suffer from joint and body pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis or other joint conditions, the cold atmosphere created by an air conditioner may make those ailments worse. Colds and other illnesses caused by an unfit HVAC system could also exacerbate these conditions.

These are just a handful of signs that your HVAC system could be making you and your family sick, and needs to be serviced by a professional. If you notice any of these concerns, make sure you talk with an HVAC professional quickly to get to the bottom of the problem. One of the best ways to avoid these types of issues is by keeping your HVAC system maintained, your evaporator coils clean and drip pans and drains empty.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us here at Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. – we’re here to help keep your home a healthy oasis for you and your family!

Signs That You Need an Air Conditioning Tune Up

When was the last time you got an air conditioning tune up? Was it within the last three months? Then you're all good. If it was longer than three months ago, you might need to give your air conditioning contractor a call. And if you can't remember the last time you got a tune up, then you can be sure that your air conditioner really needs it!

Going without an air conditioning tune up for a long time can harm your air conditioning system and shorten its life, thus costing you money in the long run. Here are five signs that your air conditioner needs a tune up:

1. You need to turn the thermostat lower to get the same degree of cooling. Don't keep turning the thermostat lower and lower to adjust to the way your air conditioning system is working. Give your air conditioning contractor a call instead.
2. Your air conditioner has not been used for a long time. Maybe your air conditioning system was completely switched off in the winter months and you're only just thinking about using it again. Instead of just switching it on, it might be a good idea to give it a tune up first.
3. You've made some structural changes to your house. People are always renovating their homes, knocking down walls, building new walls, etc. If you've been doing this, contact your air conditioning contractor to see if any changes are needed in your air conditioning system. At the very least, it will help to get a tune up.
4. You've made some changes to your electrical system. If you've installed new appliances and your electrical system is taking on a greater load, then you might want to call your air conditioning contractor and get a tune up. If your air conditioning system is functioning efficiently, this will save electricity and, hence, money.
5. Your electricity bill has been going up. If you are using your air conditioning system the same amount as you used to but your electricity bill has been going up, then you might want to call your air conditioning contractor and get a tune up, just to be sure that the problem doesn't lie there.

Have questions? Please don’t hesitate to contact Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc.