Signs & Symptoms Of Indoor Air Pollution
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN YOUR HOME Many people assume indoor environments to be safe and free from any kind of pollutants, but the reality is far from it. You cannot save yourself from harmful bacteria and infections just by staying indoors. Indoor Environment Pollution Problems There are numerous problems that can occur inside a building and affect its ideal atmospheric condition. The growing concern for any home, commercial building, or office owner is to protect the building from the potential harms of pollution. Multiple environmentalists, building engineers, and industrial hygienists today suggest the use of various cleaning and indoor protection strategies. It can help a building in numerous ways. For an office or commercial organization, regular air duct cleaning can help in keeping people safe from getting sick regularly by maintaining a fresh air supply. Aside from this, there are countless other benefits to keeping an atmosphere safe and free from pollutants. The key is to recognize the adverse effects in time. Usually, the telltale signs of a contaminated environment can be subtle and hard to notice. However, there are some ways to know if the problem in your surrounding is due to an indoor pollution problem. What are some common signs of a building being polluted and its unhygienic atmospheric conditions? Let’s check it out! Signs Your Indoor Air Has Contaminants #1 Inhabitants Affected by Multiple Illnesses Are more people getting sick in your office? Are more and more employees taking a day off? Is your family unwell? Is everyone affected by the same type of infections? If you are working in an office and everyone is catching some sort of virus every now and then, there is a high chance that there is something wrong with the building’s ventilation system. If the symptoms such as headache, dizziness, fever, flu, and cough are regularly experienced by multiple people in any given atmosphere, you should opt for air duct cleaning to purify the air duct for a cleaner indoor setting. #2 Reduced Performance and Focus A polluted space can significantly affect the performance and mental alertness of the people working in it. In any home, office, or commercial building, if you notice people having difficulty with concentration, feeling fatigued and exhausted, there is a high chance that it is caused due to various environmental factors. #3 Bad or Unpleasant Odors This is the most common sign that you should be aware of. When inspecting a structure for its environmental standards, it is very important to take multiple factors into consideration. The presence of strong smells and odors in a building is the very first and strongest sign of a polluted atmosphere. This can also be very difficult to judge in the beginning as in most cases, the odor can be quite subtle and light and thus, difficult to notice. What Should You Do If You Notice Any Of The Above Signs? The air in your indoor environment circulates through multiple air ducts located in the HVAC system. As the air passes through the air ducts, it carries any pollutants, debris, dust, and infestations from the duct into your indoor space. For healthy indoor air quality, it is very important to frequently schedule air duct cleaning from professional service providers. A-Z Air Duct experts are here to help you with your indoor air cleaning needs – schedule an appointment or give us a call today at (602) 466-2234. CONTACT US TODAY
Air Purifiers for Cold And Flu Season
Globally, the cold and flu season is something to be of concern. The season comes yearly, ranging from sniffling and sneezing to chills and fevers. Indeed, a sneeze can send clouds of flu viruses airborne. Several kinds of illnesses are associated with the winter and cold weather. That makes it challenging to combat simple cold symptoms. You need to protect yourself and your home from infections by running an air purifier. Poor Indoor Air Quality Impacts the Prevalence and Gravity of Respiratory Viruses, Especially Common Colds and Flus Many people don’t understand how indoor air pollutants affect flu victims. Severe exposure to air pollution affects the prevalence and gravity of severe illnesses like COVID. Once the air is polluted, it aggravates the condition, leading to more complications. It also influences a healthy environment that could help reduce complications and circulate the airborne virus. A healthy and clean environment is always crucial and necessary when there are respiratory viruses. Even with short-term infections or severe respiratory diseases like asthma, breathing could become complicated because of the respiratory condition. Indoor air pollution impacts symptoms of respiratory infection. It becomes more challenging to breathe in an environment that isn’t healthy or clean of air pollution. Airborne germs and allergens pollute indoor air and remain longer in the dense, colder winter air. Thus, it’s necessary to clean your indoor air of these harmful molecules by using an air purifier. That way, you’ll create the healthiest air environment possible. Returning to Work: Why Indoor Air Quality is Essential Indoor air quality is a top priority because it affects the spread of airborne viruses in your home. Poor indoor air quality allows viruses to spread more in homes. Besides, it also prevents sick people from recovering, creating more avenues for re-infection. Good air quality can help prevent colds and cases of flu. Run an air purifier in your home to help purify particles in the air that cause colds, flu, and viruses. Contaminated air makes it possible for everyone to get sick or become reinfected. Let running an air purifier become part of your flu prevention procedure. Do Air Purifiers Help Prevent Cold and Flu? An air purifier is necessary for everyone during the cold and flu season. But, it’s more crucial for those prone to flu complications due to their health status or age. Passive air purifiers have been a standard solution to help clear airborne viruses and harmful bacteria from your indoor spaces. First, they draw in the air and purify the air of any airborne particles using filters and UV lighting. Alternatively, active air purification systems purify air without needing contaminants to pass through the system. ActivePure® offers an energy-efficient cleaning system that is clinically proven to decontaminate 99.98% of SARS-CoV-2 virus within 7 hours. It accomplishes this by creating and propelling powerful and safe disinfecting molecules into the air, which seek out and destroy pathogens lingering on surfaces and in the air. Residential Air Purification in Phoenix Due to allergy breakouts, many homeowners are taking a bold stance to improve the air quality of their homes and protect their health. Air quality solutions comprise various services designed to purify the air circulating within your home. These solutions cover every basis of air quality and home health. A-Z offers several active air purification solutions in Phoenix, including ActivePure technology. Our ActivePure technology works to destroy dangerous bacteria and end mold and other spores in your space’s air. Commercial Air Purification Services in Phoenix Boost the quality of your working area, safeguard your commercial property, and provide your clients with a safe and dynamic indoor environment. Through our commercial purification service, you can protect your family and build your business. At A-Z Air Duct, we collaborate with companies to offer superior Commercial Air Purification services in Phoenix and its environs. You’ll get groundbreaking solutions on a fast-tracked timeline from the initial stage to completion. Air Purification in Phoenix, AZ The indoor air quality of your home and business plays a significant role in your environment’s health and output. Invisible agents and pollutants in the air could become harmful if left untreated. Let A-Z Air Duct provide a practical solution to restore your air quality and avert common pollutants from recurring poor indoor living spaces and working conditions. We can stand by this by offering only the best, most-efficient air purification options in Phoenix. A-Z Air Duct is a family-owned and Operated Air Duct Cleaning company. We offer residential and commercial air cleaning services, serving Phoenix and surrounding cities. Contact us to set up a consultation and learn more about how active air purification systems can change your life. Image Source: BackyardProduction / Getty Images CONTACT US TODAY
Difference between and Air Cleaner and Air Purifier
It might sound like an air cleaner and an air purifier are the same, but the reality is that the two are quite different. The short answer is that air cleaners generally use a passive system to filter indoor airborne particles. On the other hand, an air purifier sanitizes and purifies the surrounding air. Read on to learn a little more about the two systems and how to make the best choice for the best indoor air quality possible in your Arizona home. Air Purifier vs. Air Filter vs. Air Cleaner: What’s the Difference? Many terms come up when searching for an effective way to reduce indoor air pollution. The reality is that they are all similar, but important differences do exist. An air filter is basically any screen, mesh, or other material that filters contaminants from the air. Filters range extensively, from HEPA filters (which filter smaller particles) to large ones that may only filter bigger airborne items. An air cleaner typically contains an air filter and uses a fan to circulate air. While it can catch particles of varying size (depending on filter size), it does not necessarily “clean: the surrounding air. HEPA or MERV 13 filters trap some but not all airborne particles when air is first brought in from the outside or recirculated. They cannot effectively reduce the spread of pathogens that are continuously released in occupied rooms through aerosols or droplets. Because they are passive systems, they must wait for airborne pathogens to come to them before being partially filtered. Even then, pathogens are not neutralized, they are merely trapped in the filter. On the other hand, an air purifier works to purify and clean the surrounding air. It can do this in several ways. How Air Purifiers Use Electricity for Air Cleaning While any appliance with a fan will require some electricity, air purifiers can sanitize air using additional electrical means. Some air purifiers use UV light to kill airborne pathogens. Other air purifiers — called air ionizer filters — use an electrical charge to attach to dust mites and other allergens, removing them from circulating air. Electrostatic precipitators are another electrical means of purifying air. Ionizers use electricity to produce ions that impart an electrical charge to nearby particles. The majority of these ions cause particles to stick together and fall out of the air rather than eliminate the pathogens. The large number of charged particles produced by ionizers have been linked to harmful health outcomes. UV light is utilized in indoor spaces in two formats both of which are limited. The robot style UV light is extremely powerful but also labor intensive, only treats what is in direct line of sight, and can only be used in unoccupied rooms as it is harmful for your eyesight and skin. Other wall mounted UV lights that claim continuous disinfection must be shielded so that the reflection is the only thing visible. With the shielded approach, it becomes a passive technology that waits for pathogens to pass by it. Many times, they are not in line of sight long enough for the UV to deactivate them. Electrostatic precipitators are basically electric versions of HEPA filters. Air purifiers are based on early versions of the technology. They typically have reduced reaction rates and limited effectiveness, rendering them not much better than any other passive filtration technology. Capturing Smaller Particles The most basic air filters will only capture large particles — such as large dust mites, animal hair, and large pieces of dead skin. A more fine filter — such as a true HEPA filter — can capture smaller particles, including pollen and bacteria. However, air purifiers capture small particles and can sanitize odors and gases in the air as well. How To Filter the Air In Your Home Ultimately, there are multiple ways to filter the air in your home. An air cleaner built directly into your HVAC system can make a difference. However, an air purifier — capable of treating smaller particles like ash, mold, mildew, tobacco smoke, and more — can go further towards reducing indoor air pollutants. One factor to consider is sensitivity to pollutants for inhabitants of your home. If you or a family member has asthma or another respiratory condition, a strong means of cleaning air is useful. The HVAC industry is pushing for more fresh air and better filtration as a way to improve indoor air quality (IAQ), however, this is a slow and ineffective way to address IAQ concerns. They ignore the costs of such a policy, both financially and to the planet and future generations. Increasing ventilation and filtration in indoor spaces will require the very costly replacement of both older HVAC systems and modern highly engineered HVAC systems. Increasing air flow through denser filters will cause a huge increase in the carbon footprint of anyone using these new systems and filters, an effect compounded by increasing the amount of air needing to be conditioned, at a time when the world needs to focus on reducing carbon emissions. Should You Choose Air Cleaners or Air Purifiers? Ultimately, there are good reasons to consider both air cleaners and air purifiers. However, the true best choice is neither and instead is purchasing an ActivePure technology system. The ActivePure technology system has a leg up on other air cleaning alternatives, primarily because it works as an “active” system. Instead of relying on passive filters, even HEPA filters, to cleanse the air, the ActivePure technology system is able to cleanse surfaces and hard-to-reach areas throughout the home. Why Choose the ActivePure Technology System The simple answer is that ActivePure is simply the best air purification technology on the market. The technology uses free oxygen and water molecules in the surrounding air, pulling them through the system’s honeycomb matrix to create powerful oxidizers that are then released into the room, effectively sanitizing it. ActivePure technology has been shown to work effectively on SARS-CoV-2 and numerous other respiratory and other viruses and bacteria.
What Type of Air Purifier Do I Need?
How to Choose an Air Purifier: Buying Guide The quality of the air inside your home is as important as the temperature. While your HVAC system is responsible for heating and indoor cooling air to stay comfortable when you are inside, it does not regulate the air quality, which could be a problem. If you want to breathe easier, it is a good idea to look into which types of air purifiers are available for your home. The ActivePure technology offered by A-Z Air Duct is a superior system designed to keep your air clean and improve your quality of life Understanding What You Are Buying Before you start shopping around for an air purifier, you need to understand exactly what you are looking for. An air purifier is different from a filter. A filter keeps contaminants out of your HVAC unit, while an air purifier pulls pollutants out of the air to improve the indoor air quality of your home. The purpose of using air scrubbers in the home is to pull contaminants out of the air inside the house and make it easier for you and your family to breathe. You may not even know that you have poor indoor air quality until you invest in an air purifier and notice a difference in your breathing. Many people think that relying on standard air filters and basic air purifiers is enough to clean up the air inside their homes, but this is not always true. ActivePure Technology is a superior type of air purifier that creates oxidizing molecules to sanitize the air. Why Room Size Matters in Air Purifier Selection Every room in your home is affected by the quality of the air inside the house. Traditional air filters protect the HVAC unit, but they do little to remove contaminants from the air inside the home. Other air purifiers may only work in small areas, so if you want your entire house to be filled with crisp, clean air, you’ll need to install an air purification unit in every room. However, you can invest in ActivePure technology to purify all the air in your home. Just make sure the size of your HVAC unit is compatible with the size of your home, and the purification technology will do the rest of the work. What’s In the Air and What Do You Want To Remove? At any given time, you have thousands of microscopic particles floating in the air inside your home. You may not have paid attention to your indoor air quality in the past, but if you are struggling with allergies or tend to fall ill more often than you should, it may be time to test the air in your house. If your air quality is poor, you may find bacteria, viruses, organic compounds, and odors floating throughout your house. Poor air quality can also be caused by having the following particles floating inside your home: Smoke Pet dander Mold Dust mites Pollen Viruses Any of these particles could trigger respiratory issues. While they could manifest in allergy or cold symptoms, these respiratory symptoms could also just make you feel fatigued and keep you from getting adequate rest so you can recharge. Improving the air quality of your home by removing these pollutants is an easy way to boost your quality of life. ActivePure Technology works by oxidizing the molecules of your indoor air to strip away these unwanted particles. The system has been proven to remove 99.99% of pollutants to leave you with crisp air inside that can improve your quality of life. What Not To Buy – Buyer Beware Air purifiers can be helpful, but they are not a treatment for respiratory issues. They can eliminate many of your triggers, but installing one doesn’t mean that you can stop other types of treatment. Most air purifiers only work on certain types of particles, so they are only effective if they get rid of the specific particle that is triggering your health problems. For example, few air filters get rid of dust mites because they tend to live in carpet or bedding. If pollen and pet dander are what trigger your allergies, an air purification system can be helpful for reducing your symptoms. If you’re interested in improving the quality of air inside your home, it is best to use a whole-house system such as ActivePure Technology. Rather than simply filtering the air in a single room, the purification system will work throughout your home to reduce the number of allergens in the air. If you only invest in a portable air purifier, you will only have clean air in a single room. Air Purifiers Vs. ActivePure Technology System Standard air purifiers and ActivePure technology have the same essential purpose, but the latter option is much more effective. Air purifiers are only capable of cleaning the air inside your home, while ActivePure technology also targets surfaces to eliminate pollutants. This revolutionary technology uses UV rays to clean surfaces and clean air molecules before releasing them back into your home to identify and get rid of any contaminants in the air. Additionally, as an active system, ActivePure actively purifies the air in your entire home, while passive systems only capture what is sucked into the system or filter in that room. Passive systems may be less expensive upfront, but the costs add up in the long term with the energy consumption required to suck in and blow out air and the constant replacement of filters. Passive air filtration systems can also be much noisier than an ActivePure system. Making the Choice – Fitting Your Needs ActivePure Technology is a great investment for your home. Not only does it clean your air, but it also removes pollutants from the surfaces inside your home, so you can breathe easier. It is more effective than traditional air purifiers at getting rid of common contaminants, and studies show that this technology effectively removes up to 99.98% of pollution inside
What to Look for in an Air Purifier
What to look for in an Air Purifier. After you’ve read through our blog post on what to look for in an air purification system for your home, you’ll learn: How air purifiers work and how to find a good one for your needs What the various types of air purifiers are Why your family may benefit from an effective air purifier in your home Why Air Purifiers Are Gaining Popularity It’s important to take steps that improve indoor air quality whenever you can. One of the most effective solutions to this issue is using an air purifier inside your home, office, or other places where you spend a lot of time. However, not all air purifiers are built the same (or even use the same technology to rid the air of pollutants and contaminants). Before you pull out your credit card to purchase the first air purifier you see, you should read through our guide below on what to look for in an air purifier and how to ensure it fits your specific needs. Can Air Purifiers Help? Ideally, the best way to improve your indoor air quality is by removing the sources of the pollutants or allergens contaminating your air. Ensuring your indoor space is well ventilated is a great first step, as it will keep a source of fresh air running through the indoor space. However, there are times when easy access to ventilation or removing the allergen source is impossible. A beloved family pet may add their dander to the air that you breathe, but convincing your children that Spike needs to be re-homed isn’t an option. In these situations, an air purifier can be extremely helpful. While air purification systems hook up to a home’s HVAC system to purify the entire residence, most air purifiers people purchase tend to clean the air in a single room. Regardless, even in a well-ventilated room, an air purification solution will benefit you. They’ll remove lingering pollutants, allergens, and contaminants and keep the air inside the room clean and fresh. The best solutions have been known to help remove COVID-19 particles. In fact, ActivePure is the first line of air purifiers scientifically proven to decontaminate 99.98% of COVID-19 in the air and on surfaces. What Makes a Good Air Purifier? The best air purifier is one that helps your specific needs. That means you may find an inexpensive model that works far better for what you require than a more expensive one with a fuller list of features. To ensure your needs are met, you should consider five key features on every air purifier you research: Design: If you want a purifier that you’ll carry from room to room, you’ll want a lightweight one. If you have a smart home system, you may want one that you can control by Wi-Fi or through a smart speaker. As a general rule, you want something intuitive and easy to use, what we might call a “plug and purify” solution. Energy use: Some air purifiers use more energy than others. That may mean that while you’re improving your indoor air quality, you’re also increasing your monthly energy bill. You should try to avoid models that use more than 100 watts on their highest setting. Maintenance cost: At some point, you’ll need to replace the filter inside the purifier. If the filters are proprietary and expensive, your initial investment may end up with additional costs. Some filters are washable, too, which means that you only need to clean them once a month or so instead of keeping a steady supply on hand. We generally recommend looking for something easy to clean. Noise level: If you need a quiet purifier to focus, you need to keep an ear out for which purifiers are louder than others. Some air purifiers are as quiet as a whisper. Some are very loud, like a vacuum cleaner or rush hour traffic. If you’re looking for something for your home or office, it might be ideal to find something quiet that doesn’t produce unintended side effects of any type. Type of filters: Different filters filter out different air contaminants. For instance, if you’re looking to filter out cigarette smoke, you might need a carbon filter. Types of Air Purifiers There are many types of air purifiers, and each has its own characteristics: Activated carbon filters: Air purifiers that use these filters can remove some gases and odor-causing molecules from the air by absorbing them into the filter. However, they don’t capture particles like dust, dander, or dirt. Ionizers: These purifiers release charged ions into the air that seek out airborne molecules and make them stick to surfaces in your home. With regular vacuuming or dusting, you’ll then remove these pollutants from your home instead of having them linger in the air. Mechanical filters: Mechanical filters are perhaps the most common form of air purification technology. A fan forces air through a series of overlapping fine mesh filters. With the best air filters, these devices can filter out most forms of dander, dust, mold spores, and pollen. However, they won’t remove gas or odor. Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation: UVGI purifiers use ultraviolet late to kill bacteria, mold spores, and viruses. However, unless this technology is combined with the filter type listed above, odors and pollutants will still linger in your air. ActivePure – Other types of air purification systems have had their places in recent years, but there’s nothing quite like ActivePure technology. Unlike the passive filters mentioned above, ActivePure is a filterless system that actively purifies the air in your home. ActivePure Molecules are powerful oxidizers that seek and destroy contaminants in every corner of a building. Within hours, ActivePure can reduce 99.98% of viruses on surfaces and in the air. Examples of such DNA and RNA viruses include SARS-CoV-2 (novel coronavirus), Swine Flu (H1N1), Avian Bird Flu (H5N8), and Hepatitis A (HAV), among others. To put this in perspective, ActivePure is the only certified space technology created in
The Best Air Purifier for your Home
Updated: March 5, 2024 Air Purifier. The COVID-19 pandemic, among other factors, has made everyone in Phoenix and the surrounding Arizona region more acutely conscious of the air that they breathe. Concepts like airborne particles have recently become much more urgent concerns. This is understandable: people want to ensure everyone indoors is safe, healthy, and not made sick by particles in the air. Naturally, people are increasingly turning to air purifiers to protect air quality within their homes or businesses. Ensuring that hazardous airborne particles are removed from the air is essential for people looking to protect both their families and, in other cases, their business investments. Understanding how air purifiers work and which is the best air purifier for the home are essential to keeping loved ones and clients safe, in good times and bad. Do Air Purifiers Really Work? Many people wondering about the best air purifier for home may ask: do air purifiers actually work? This is a reasonable question and varies depending on the type of filter and type of particle. Generally speaking, many traditional air filters work modestly for some particles — particularly large ones that stay airborne and do not fall to the ground. However, there have been at times conflicting results in studies about the true efficacy of many air filters. Types of Air Purifiers There are a number of types of traditional air filters on the market today. When you consider the best home air purifier, you may initially be looking at one of the following: Mechanical filters are one of the most common types of air purifiers. By using fans, these filters work to force particles through trapping fibers. HEPA filters are the most advanced and use very fine mesh to trap 99.97% of particles that are .3 micrometers in diameter or larger. Mechanical filters require filter replacement up to twice a year, and costs can quickly add up. Electronic air filters work by charging particles in the surrounding air and attracting them to the machine or nearby surfaces. Notably, these filters can produce ozone. Ozone generators may be less common but are in some cases used for filtration. Because they generate ozone to filter indoor air, they can actually worsen indoor air quality and even increase the propensity towards respiratory conditions. Activated carbon filters are sometimes employed as a complement to mechanical or other filters. They essentially work by using activated carbon to trap molecules that cause odors in the air. However, they do not work well for certain gases, are expensive, must be changed regularly, and are ineffective at catching particles. Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation is another method of filtering air, but its effectiveness is unclear. These purifiers use UV light to theoretically kill viral, bacterial, and fungal particles in the air. However, some of these organisms may be resistant to UV light, and it is not always clear if there is sufficient UV exposure to kill the particles. Photocatalytic oxidation is another type of air filter that combines UV radiation with a photocatalyst to theoretically oxidize pollutants through the production of hydroxyl radicals. However, the efficacy of these filters is sometimes unclear. In short, there are many types of air filters, meaning that finding the best air purifier for the home takes a little bit of work! What To Consider While Shopping For An Air Purifier There are several factors that any home or business owner in Phoenix, Maricopa County, or surrounding areas of Arizona may wish to consider as they seek to purchase the best air purifier for the home. These may include the following: What is the purpose of your given air filter, and in what sort of space will it be used? Is it for a home or a business? Considering structure, shape, and size are all important as you work to choose the best air filter for a given space, as well as the ideal location to situate your filter. What allergens or particles are you seeking to remove from the air? For some businesses in the Phoenix area today, the primary concern may be removing COVID-19 (and other viral or bacterial particles) from the air to ensure their customers’ safety and security. On the other hand, the concern may be removing dust or allergens from the air to protect sensitive children and/or pets for many families. How much are you willing to spend maintaining your filter? As noted above, some types of air filters come with significant upkeep costs (particularly HEPA and activated carbon filters, which are often employed together and may need to be changed multiple times per year). Those costs of replacement filters can quickly add up, but they are not the only expenses. Filters that are less energy efficient may generate high electricity costs over their lifespan. For this reason, seeking an energy-efficient filter can be significantly useful. Will your air filter be a disturbance? Some air filters can be noisy, which can be a bother in the home and a detriment to business at work. Considering sound levels of air filters is another important consideration when choosing the best air filter for the home. Why Choosing ActivePure® Over Air Purifiers Is a Better Choice ActivePure® technology is an effective air filtration method that can be a useful means of purifying your home. ActivePure® technology can be an effective, safe, and reliable way to ensure your home is fully decontaminated. Read below for why. ActivePure® Technology Proven To Dramatically Decontaminate Contaminants ActivePure® technology has demonstrated unique decontamination abilities. It works by using UV light to illuminate a honeycomb matrix that has been treated with a photocatalytic coating. Oxidizers are created and then re-released into the surrounding environment, where they “actively” neutralize viruses and bacteria, including SARS-CoV-2 (efficacy was demonstrated at 99.98% decontamination). ActivePure® technology provides consistent decontamination, is affordable, is quiet, does not use chemicals, and does not produce harmful byproducts. ActivePure® Technology Vs. Competitors For several reasons, ActivePure® technology may be more effective and reliable than competitors, making
Reasons to have an Indoor Air Purifier in your Home or Office
Your HVAC system is your home’s way of breathing—it inhales and exhales the air back out, so it’s practical to take steps to improve your home or office’s indoor air quality. According to the EPA, the average home accumulates as much as 40 pounds of dust per year. Dust is full of more than dirt, containing everything that’s in the air around you. In fact, the air you breathe can cause allergies, asthma and can eventually make you ill. Between common contaminants like dirt, dust, and dander from pet hair, you may find yourself dealing with issues like sore throats, eye, nose, and throat irritation, or even asthma attacks. That’s why an in-home air purifier is necessary to ensure you’re keeping your employees, your family, and yourself as healthy as possible. These machines are easy to operate and can be installed directly into the HVAC system. An in-home air purifier can remove contaminants and help cut down on the number and severity of allergic reactions you have inside your home. How Do Indoor Air Purifiers Work? There are several types of air purification systems out there. While the specifics of their operation may differ, they tend to all work under the same principle. The air purifier moves air through a filter that collects airborne pollutants then pushes the air back out into the building. While many air purification systems used to use HEPA filters, they’re considered moderately outdated methods for cleaning your air. HEPA filters still require regular cleaning or replacement to keep them operating efficiently, and not cleaning them can cause a build-up of particles that makes your HVAC system kick into overdrive to try and push air through the filter. This can result in a higher energy bill each month and can also reduce the lifespan of your air conditioning or heating system. We at A-Z Air Duct use ActivePure® technology as part of our air purification solutions, the most powerful surface and air purification system available for consumers. Homes and businesses can now be protected 24/7 by ActivePure’s powerful continuous NASA Certified Space Technology, which has been scientifically proven to safely decontaminate 99.98% of pathogens and contaminants in the air and on exposed surfaces without releasing any harmful chemicals or byproducts. Our ActivePure® indoor air purifiers also no longer require filters to operate, meaning you’ll save time and money without having to clean or replace your filters. The system uses a patented honeycomb matrix, powerful UV lights, and ActivePure® molecules that seek out and destroy viruses in the air and on surfaces. Testing was conducted by one of the world’s top biosafety testing facilities, the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), which primarily tests for the U.S. military and centers for Disease (CDC). The testing showed that the ActivePure system inactivated over 99.9% of highly concentrated airborne SARS-CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19) in an enclosed setting in just 3 minutes, below detectable levels. Why Do You Need an Air Purifier? The simple answer here is that the air you, your family, or your employees and customers breathe should be of the highest quality. When indoor air quality suffers, the people inside are more likely to get sick and experience negative health effects like coughing, sneezing, and allergy attacks. If you think that the air inside your home or office is cleaner than that outside your home, you should know that you are mistaken. The Environmental Protection Agency estimated that indoor air could be up to 100 times more polluted than outside air. While that number may represent extreme cases, most homes or offices still hold air that’s at least two times dirtier than outdoor air. Another thing to consider when it comes to indoor air quality is odor. Odor is a pollutant, and if your home smells like your pet, cigarette smoke, or burnt food, then you’re breathing in unhealthy air. Air purifiers can remove odors from the air and keep the air inside your living space or at your office smelling fresh. There’s really no reason not to purchase an air purifier. They come in sizes to fit any space and often operate quietly. You won’t even realize they’re on when they’re working until you realize just how fresh the air smells and feels. How to Find the Best Air Purifier for You Your home or office deserves clean, fresh air. The best way to do that is by employing an air purification system that meets your needs. At A-Z Air Duct, we know how important it is for your loved ones or employees to breathe air that’s free of pollutants, allergens, and odors. Contact us today for a free quote on an air purification system that fits your needs. Featured Image: VectorManZone/Shutterstock CONTACT US TODAY
Which Contaminants Can Affect Home Air Quality?
Around Phoenix and throughout the country, indoor air quality remains a considerable concern. This concern only grows as people spend more and more time inside due to environmental disasters that pollute outdoor air, like forest fires. However, when the concern is something microscopic and otherwise invisible to the human eye, it can be challenging to know exactly what contaminants affect home air quality and what contaminants to be concerned about. With this difficulty can come a belief it’s not essential to filter your home’s indoor air. Unfortunately, those beliefs are unfounded. To demonstrate this, we’ll go over the adverse health effects of indoor air on human health and some of the most common sources of poor indoor air in homes and businesses. Why Are Indoor Air Pollutants Hazardous? To care about the quality of your home’s air is to care about your health and the health of anyone else who enters your house. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, just a single exposure to a pollutant is enough to cause adverse health effects, such as dizziness, headaches, fatigue, and irritation in your eyes, nose, and throat. For those with asthma, the consequences can worsen and cause an aggravated attack. It should be noted that these are merely the immediate effects. The long-term effects of exposure to indoor air contaminants and air quality problems can be even worse. Severe illnesses, like cancer, heart disease, and some forms of respiratory disease, can develop in those with repeated exposure to indoor air pollutants. While these extreme outcomes may not occur for everyone, the fact that these illnesses are possible should concern everyone. What Indoor Air Pollutants Are Hazardous? Some indoor air contaminants come from expected sources, such as cigarette smoke. Others may come from a beloved pet. Due to our dusty environment in Arizona, we must be especially vigilant in maintaining a high standard of air quality in our home. If you don’t, you may find yourself dealing with the health issues listed above. 1. Bacteria and Other Biological Contaminants Biological contaminants, such as bacteria, mold, mildew, and viruses, can be hazardous0 to those breathing them in. These contaminants can easily spread through the air and are difficult to control. That is, if someone has the flu in one part of your home, the virus can spread through the HVAC system even if the person is otherwise isolated. Mold and mildew can also spread and grow rapidly due to microscopic spores. Suppose you’ve recently had an issue with standing water or issues with damp, moist areas of your home. In that case, you are even more likely to experience the spread of these biological contaminants. 2. Combustion It’s incredibly important for a home or business to be well ventilated. Gas-fired appliances, such as furnaces, ranges, and water heaters, can produce dangerous gases. Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrous oxides can quickly build up in your home. Somewhat fortunately, some gases give off a noxious odor that makes them relatively easy to identify. Carbon monoxide, on the other hand, is colorless and odorless. Without appropriately placed carbon monoxide monitors inside your home, you could be exposed to this toxic gas without even realizing it. Should the carbon monoxide leak occur at night, it may be too late for you to take corrective actions and leave home. 3. Dust Arizona’s desert environment is prone to dust storms. There also tends to be a lot of new construction and remodeling projects in the area. Any of these sources can cause it to be swept up into your HVAC system and spread throughout the home. As you continue to breathe in the dust, your eyes may begin to water and your throat can become scratchy. You may find yourself coughing more than typical, which can further exacerbate the irritation. If you’re having construction done inside your home, it’s essential to take steps to stop the spread of dust. For instance, air filters can help prevent them from entering your HVAC system. 4. Pet Dander In some cases, your family’s beloved pet could be the cause of your home’s poor air quality. Dander, which are technically small flakes of skin that fall off the animal, can cause anyone to experience negative health effects. If you’re allergic to dogs or cats, you may find your allergies especially difficult to deal with. Pet dander is extremely small and light. This allows it to stay in the air for longer than other contaminants such as dust. Dogs or cats that are prone to shedding tend to release more dander than breeds considered shed-free. 5. Pollen & Seasonal Allergies If you experience seasonal allergies, the cause is likely pollen. During each season, certain plants will release tiny grains. These grains are lightweight and capable of traveling in high concentrations and to far distances. Biologically, pollen aims to help fertilize plants of the same species. One of the most common pollen allergies is caused by grass. However, ragweed, sagebrush, tumbleweed, and quite a few trees also release allergy-inducing pollen. Pollen allergies are fairly widespread. That’s why the pollen count is often included in weather reports. 6. Radon Gas in Homes Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. This means it’s incredibly important to take steps to prevent it from entering the interior air of your home or business. Generally, it should be noted that radon levels in Arizona are quite low. However, there are certain areas outside of Phoenix that are considered potential hotspots for this lung cancer-causing toxin. Tucson, Verde Valley, and the Granite Dells all contain higher-than-typical radon levels in the state of AZ. Even though radon levels may be low in Phoenix, it’s still important to test your home for the naturally-occurring radioactive gas. For information on how to do so, check out the EPA’s website. 7. Tobacco & Cigarette Smoke Cigarette smoke is dangerous for those who inhale it, whether it’s first-hand or second-hand. The studies on tobacco dangers are so
How to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Your Home
Improving indoor air quality is important. With so much attention paid to air pollution outside our homes, it’s odd that many people don’t focus on indoor air quality. Yet, the air we breathe inside is just as important as the air we breathe outside. In fact, due to the amount of time we spend inside, it’s easy to make the case that the air quality inside is even more important. What is Indoor Air Quality? Air quality is a measurement of the health quality of the air inside a residence, business, or building of any type. It is measured by testing collected air samples, measuring airflow, collecting samples from surfaces (i.e. walls and ceilings), and measurements of human exposure to pollutants. Indoor air quality measurements are mainly concerned with not only how comfortable a building’s air is to breathe, but also how breathing affects overall health. Measurements and tests generally look for organic pollutants such as molds and bacteria and harmful gasses such as carbon monoxide and radon. The quality of your indoor air can have a lifelong impact on your family. While few people recognize the importance of clean air and how it affects their health, many are suffering from symptoms of poor air quality, without understanding the source. Suppose you find yourself dealing with some respiratory issues that seem to disappear when you change location. In that case, this is an indication that you may require the indoor air quality services of a reputable, professional team. In the meantime, though, there are some steps you can take to improve the quality of the air inside your home in Phoenix, AZ, and surrounding cities. Steps to Improve Indoor Air Quality 1. Change Filters Regularly Your air conditioner, vacuum, kitchen vents, and clothes dryer all contain filters that try to separate dust, dirt, and other contaminants from the air you breathe. As these filters do their job, they become dirty themselves. This doesn’t just ruin the air quality inside your home; it makes those appliances work harder each time you turn them on. Each appliance should have manufacturers’ instructions that detail how often their filter needs cleaning or replacement. It’s best for your air conditioner or heating system to do this at least once a year. 2. Check Your Air Ducts Air ducts can serve as the central base from which contaminants and pollutants spread through your house. If they are left uncleaned, dust, dirt, and bacteria can begin to build up. Then, every time you switch on your heater or air conditioner, the conditioned air sweeps those gross particles through the ducts where they exit through your home’s vents. You want your HVAC system to spread clean air. For that to happen, the ducts themselves need to be clean. Otherwise, you may find yourself dealing with regular asthma or allergy attacks. Ideally, you should have air ducts cleaned at least once a year, but you should consider doing it more often if you live in a dusty environment, like Phoenix, AZ. 3. Consider Your Plants Plants are often considered beneficial to air quality due to their ability to take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. So, it makes sense to include indoor greenery, especially ferns and lilies, because they may take in contaminants and release clean, breathable oxygen. However, some plants may actually trigger allergies for some people. Depending on the plant, they may also encourage the growth and development of mold spores. If you have plants inside and are suffering from allergy-related issues, you may want to keep your greenery outside. 4. Improve the Ventilation While we often consider the air our HVAC systems push through our house to be fresh, that air is usually re-circulated from inside the home. So, if your indoor air quality is poor, turning on your HVAC will just keep pushing that same dirty air throughout your home. A ventilation system with built-in filtering and air purification systems can help remove harmful substances from the air and greatly improve overall air quality in a home or business. We’re lucky that the Valley often provides sunny days that allow us to keep our windows open. According to the EPA, when we open a window, we’re allowing fresh air to enter our home and improving ventilation. This is especially important if you’re engaging in any tasks, like painting or cooking, that may release fumes or smoke into your home’s environment. 5. Maintain a Clean Home The quality of air inside your home can be reflective of the level of cleaning conducted within your home. If you don’t take the time to regularly dust and sanitize your home, you may be passively encouraging poor indoor air quality. It’s especially important to clean your carpets and rugs at least once a week. Due to their fibrous nature, they easily trap dirt and other contaminants. When you vacuum, try to use a vacuum that contains a HEPA filter. This will help ensure the vacuumed particles aren’t immediately released back into the air. 6. Use an Air Purifier There are times when it may be difficult to identify the source of your home’s poor indoor air quality. There may also be times when you have uncovered the source but aren’t willing to part with it, as is often the case with a furry pet. In those cases, an air purifier can help remove some of these irritants from the air. Even if you can’t remove the source of the allergy-inducing particles, you can benefit by simply reducing the concentration of allergens in the air. 7. Get Indoor Air Testing Having indoor air quality testing done to ensure there are no odorless pollutants in the air is advised. For example, the air pollutant – radon is colorless and odorless gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Due to its aforementioned properties, it can only be detected by testing the air. Health Benefits of Improving Indoor Air Quality By performing a home or business air quality test, you
Is Air Conditioning Duct Cleaning Worth it?
Maintaining excellent air quality in the Phoenix area can be challenging and HVAC systems require a lot of maintenance to remain viable for decades. One essential part of this maintenance is air conditioning duct cleaning. A lot of people neglect it because they think it is superfluous. It seems like a lot to hire a professional to come out to your home to clean the ducts. However, this is a vital service you need to take advantage of if you do not already. You will benefit immensely in the long run. Finding Contaminants It is possible for debris, odors, pet hair, and other substances to make their way into the air conditioning ducts. These particles then spread throughout the home. Your air ducts require regular cleaning to ensure these materials do not get caught in the system. Every homeowner should clean out the ducts at least once a year to keep them vibrant. You may need an air conditioning duct cleaning more often if extenuating circumstances are present. Eliminating Mold You need an immediate air conditioning duct cleaning if you suspect there is mold in your air ducts. When moisture gets in the ducts, it can lead to mold growth. Mold spores will then spread throughout your home, which can lead to serious health complications. You know you have mold somewhere in your home if you experience chronic coughing, itchy eyes, rashes, and headaches. Some people suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Over time, mold can develop into a black mold, so you will need to remedy the situation right away. Overcoming Illness Many people develop allergy-related symptoms for no apparent reason. When this happens, you should take every step necessary to decontaminate your home. If you have tried everything else to no avail, then you need to get your ducts cleaned. The HVAC system could be the culprit. It could be spreading dangerous contaminants throughout your home, causing your family members to suffer. Cleaning After Animals Homes with pets need to be particularly mindful and schedule air conditioning duct cleaning often. Pet dander and fur can get inside the system. Although pets may be confined to one area of the home, it can feel like they are everywhere at once. If you have guests come over who are allergic to animals, then you may think you are fine cleaning the furniture. However, pet dander circulating throughout the home can make guests feel incredibly uncomfortable. Finding Pests & Unwelcome Guests There are numerous signs pests have made their way into your home. You will find droppings, urine odors, and gnawed holes throughout your home. These animals have to live somewhere, and your home’s air ducts make for the perfect environment. It could also explain why it feels like an animal is in your home even if you do not have any pets. Our Phoenix air duct cleaning services can safely remove the animals from the ducts and clean it out thoroughly. Cleaning After a Remodel After you remodel any area of your home be sure to clean out your air ducts. Regardless of how big or small the renovation was, dust and other particles may have made their way into the ducts. Clean it out immediately before you send that construction dust throughout your home. Contact Phoenix Air Duct Cleaning Services There are plenty of scams out there so you’ll want to make sure you hire the best professional Phoenix air duct cleaning services. A-Z Air Duct offers exceptional services, and our team will not stop until your ducts are fully clean once again. Contact us at your earliest convenience to get a quote. CONTACT US TODAY
