But what about the air we breathe?
Finally, indoor air quality is starting to get the recognition it warrants. Even if you follow an organic diet or use chemical-free products, what good is it if you’re inhaling chemicals and pollutants with every breath you take? (The average person breathes in and out 22,000 times every day.)
At Dinomite Heating & Cooling, our goal is to raise awareness about indoor air quality and why treating your indoor air is so important in this day and age. Bottom line: You cannot be truly health-conscious if you’re overlooking the quality of your air.
Why Is It So Important Now?
Heating and cooling technology has improved tremendously over time. As a result, heaters and air conditioners can deliver more comfort using less energy. In our quest to reduce our energy bills and save even more money, we seal our homes shut. The way homes are built and renovated today are much different than they were years ago. Sure, the homes back then were less efficient, but they breathed much better. Thus, indoor air quality wasn’t as much of an issue because fresh air was able to leak into the home.
Sealing our homes shut creates a huge barrier between our indoor air and the fresh, outdoor air. So when we do things like clean the house or paint the walls, we continue to breathe in the toxic emissions from those materials and chemicals. These volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are harmful and can cause everything from allergies to asthma to upper respiratory conditions, or make existing respiratory conditions worse.
But My HVAC System Has a Filter in It. Isn’t That Enough?
Many people think that, since their furnace or air conditioner comes with a filter, their indoor air is safe to breathe. Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The filters that come with heaters and air conditioners are for these systems’ protection, preventing them from becoming clogged. These are bare-minimum filters that keep the unit functional and do nothing to safeguard your health.
Filters are rated based on minimum efficiency reporting values (MERVs). The higher the MERV, the better the filter. This is why, in order to truly cleanse your air, you need a high-MERV filter. These filters are what will actually remove the harmful toxins from your air down to the smallest-sized particle. We carry a number of Honeywell high-MERV filtration systems, including high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. These filters are universal add-ons that can be integrated into any heater or air conditioner, regardless of brand. Proper filtration is the single most important factor for protecting your air quality and ensuring you’re breathing in fresh, clean air.
Another benefit of upgraded filtration systems is that they last longer than standard air filters. While standard filters should be replaced every few months, high-MERV filters last as long as a year. Also, if you have a maintenance membership with us, we’ll replace the air filter during your tune-up.
While we don’t include filters in our maintenance plan, you can purchase them through us and your technician will install it during your seasonal tune-up. We even offer a filter subscription service where we’ll send you a new filter at your desired frequency. This ensures that when it’s time for your tune-up, you will always have a filter on hand and can take advantage of our complimentary filter change out service that’s included in your maintenance plan membership.
We’ll Test Your Air for Free and Guide You Toward the Right Solution
Before we can determine how to best treat your air, we need to know what we’re dealing with. We conduct free, on-site air quality tests to identify which pollutant(s) are present in your air. From there, we will share our findings and work with you to develop your own treatment plan. We carry and install a number of air purifying solutions, including:
- Whole-home air purifiers
- Air scrubbers
- UV lights
- High-MERV filters
- Ionic air purifiers
The best tool for clean air is a whole house air purification system. Air purifiers emit the same compounds as fresh air much like a tree does outside. Many people don’t even realize how stuffy and stale their air is until they actually treat it. These technologies not only alleviate respiratory symptoms and discomforts, but they also provide fresh, clean air. You will feel as though you’re breathing outdoor air even when you’re inside. Many people report being able to reduce their or family member dependence on allergy medication after the installation of an air purification system. Air purification systems can make a life changing difference for family members with respiratory issues or seasonal allergies.
Our personalized approach will effectively remove countless contaminants in your air, which can include:
- Mold
- Pollen
- Pet dander
- Secondhand smoke
- Bacteria
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- … And more!
Improving Your Indoor Air Quality Means You Can …
- Reduce trips to the doctors and save money. If you or someone in your family goes to the doctor frequently for allergy shots, or needs allergy medication, consider having your air quality tested. One of our own technicians had to take his children to the doctor regularly for allergy shots. After installing an air scrubber in his home, his children can breathe freely and don’t suffer from seasonal allergies. With the right system in place, you can treat the root of the problem and save more money in the long run by eliminating medication and prescription drugs.
- Maintain a more comfortable home environment. With the increasing rise in remote work, Americans are spending more time at home than ever before. This makes it all the more important to ensure your indoor air is safe and contaminant-free. Fight cabin fever!
- Enjoy the benefits of an energy-efficient home without the setbacks. While sealing your home is a great way to save money, you don’t want to compromise your family’s health in the process. Proactively treating your air will counteract the harmful effects of sealing your home shut. Modern heating and air conditioning systems are simply recycling dirty air through your home.
Breathe Better With Dinomite
Indoor air quality is something many people overlook. Our mission is to change that.
For every second that we shop for organic foods, clothes and products, we breathe in and out. We breathe more than we eat, talk, sleep or do anything else. So in order to be truly health-focused, we must start with the health of our indoor air.
To schedule a free air quality test and take the first step toward improving your air, schedule an appointment online or call Dinomite Heating & Cooling at 336.281.5287 today!