It can be difficult to tell when there’s a problem with the indoor air quality of your Tampa home. And that’s a problem. The next problem is that over the last several years, more proof has become available showing the air inside many homes to be more polluted than the air outside. Once only a problem for the young, elderly and persistently ill, bad indoor air quality tis a mounting obstacle that we all need to address.

That being said, what steps can you take to improve your indoor air quality?

  1. Get a carbon monoxide detector: For better indoor air quality and to avoid potential poisonings in your Tampa home, invest in a carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide is a common gas produced by many household appliances such as charcoal grills, gas water heaters, cigarette smoke and generators powered by gasoline or diesel. Without proper ventilation, carbon monoxide gas builds up, eventually leading to poisoning. Headaches, fatigue and nausea are common symptoms to be aware of, and are often mistaken for the flu!
  2. Change your air filter: It’s a simple task yet an extremely effective one. Most air filters require changing every 30 days, but high-efficiency filters may last longer. Always look to the instructions on your particular air filter until you’re used to the specifications of your air conditioner. Another piece of advice is to use an air filter which fits your specific HVAC unit. For odd sizes that can’t be found in retail stores or even online, consider turning to a company that offers create-your-own filters.
  3. Mount UV lights: While conventional air conditioner filters are enough to halt most of the larger inorganic particles within your ductwork, they’re no match for mold spores, mildew, dust mites, pet dander and other teeny tiny microorganisms. In heavily humid areas like Florida, it’s normal to keep windows and doors shut during the hottest months. These are the ideal growing conditions for the aforementioned microorganisms. Mounting UV lights throughout the ducts and near the evaporator coil will resolve this issue.
  4. Install a dehumidifier: Although your air conditioner partly functions as a dehumidifier itself, its ability to remove heat and moisture is limited. The impact on comfort is seldom discernible and it offers no protection against the damage excess moisture can cause. A whole-house dehumidifier makes your home feel cooler without adjusting the temperature of your air conditioner. For many people, this results in less AC energy used. Although energy is still required to operate a dehumidifier, its considerably less, and often leads to an overall energy savings. The bottom line is more money for you and less energy wasted!

Better indoor air quality in your Tampa home should be as easy as following the solutions above. However, situations do vary. If you’re still having a hard time improving the quality of your air, contact Hinton AC online or call (813) 924-3836.