Air Conditioners and Indoor Air Quality

Lately indoor air quality has become a more important issue in the minds of millions. In 2002 the EPA released a study stating that indoor air quality is usually two to five times more polluted than outdoor and, and in some cases can be one hundred times worse.
According to the American Lung Association common home and office air contaminates are tobacco smoke, mold and mildew, too high humidity, standing water, improperly vented appliances, attached garages where vehicles run, recent remodeling or adding new furniture, carpet or paint, air freshener, kitchen trash, pesticides and radon.
To improve the quality of air in your home, a few simple steps should be taken. It is best not to use carpets anywhere in the home, but if you insist on carpet, shampoo it often prevent buildup of dust in the carpet backing. Make certain it is dried properly or dust mites will thrive in the moist setting.
Radon is a leading cause of lung cancer. Have your home tested and keep a monitor in your home. Also, keep carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
Clean up any standing water to prevent mold and mildew growth. Mold and mildew can also grow inside of AC ducts. Have HVAC contractors do professional AC duct cleaning. When AC duct cleaning is performed, be sure it is done using a method that does not rely on noxious chemicals that can degrade indoor air quality further.
While HVAC contractors are there, have them inspect your appliance ventilation and have dryer vent cleaning performed. When dryer vents are not properly ventilated to the outdoors, lint and hot, moist air is allowed to blow into your home. This facilitates the growth of mold and allows dust mites to thrive. Have your HVAC contractor vent your dryer to the outdoors and do dryer vent cleaning. Proper dryer vent cleaning can also prevent house fires caused by overheated clothes dryers.
Have your HVAC contractor install vents in bathrooms and above stoves. Bathrooms are breeding grounds for bacteria and mold that sharply degrade indoor air quality. Hood vents above stoves prevent oil and smoke from lingering in the air.
Do not use air fresheners, incense or potpourri. Air fresheners contain chemicals that are harmful to your health. If you want your home to smell fresh and clean, try using a HEPA filtration system and clean with bleach in proper amounts. Heavily perfumed cleansers are not necessary and are also bad for respiratory tracts. Use other ways to scent your home naturally. Common tips include using bags of natural, organic potpourri, use fresh cut flowers to perfume a room naturally, or bake a desert to make your home smell wonderful for hours. These are all better alternatives to air freshener.
If you live in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens or the tri-state area, contact Mike’s Air Conditioning for HVAC contracting services. They can be reached through their website at http://www.mikesairconditioning.com/index.html or by phone between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 1-718-257-1200.

For more information about Mike`sAC products and services or news about t he company, please visit: http://mikeairconditioning2010.webs.com/manhattanhvaccontracto.htm