Here in Fresno, we’re all aware of some of the issues the Central Valley has with air pollution outside. As beautiful as this city can be, there can be a lot of dust and smog on some days. However, a mistake that many people make is thinking they’re safe from pollution while they’re inside their homes. You can be, but usually not without some proactive steps to boost your indoor air quality, with the help of specialists, such as those at Allbritten.
How can my indoor air quality be so bad?
First, it’s not necessarily that the quality of the air in your home is as bad as the outdoor air. It’s more the magnitude of time you spend breathing each. Think about it: even if you spend your working day outdoors—which probably isn’t the case—you spend most of your day inside your home: eating, relaxing, and sleeping the night through. If you work in an office building or attend school, that’s a large majority of the day spent inside. You’re breathing in that air for a longer amount of time.
Next, indoor air quality encompasses a lot of different things, ranging from the visible—pet hair and dust, which you can see accumulating in your home over time—to the out-of-sight—mold, for instance—to the invisible, which includes allergens, bacteria, radon, and secondhand smoke. The Environmental Protection Agency has a convenient breakdown of each of these elements. Some of these things may be in your home, some may not. The best, all the only, way to be sure is to have your home’s air tested.
What can I do about this?
The first step, fittingly, is to call our team and ask us about an indoor air quality test. Some things, you may already know about. We mentioned dust earlier, but, if you’re sensitive to them, you’ll probably know if allergens are also in your home. However, others are harder to detect.
We have several different solutions for dealing with indoor air quality issues. Here are three of the most popular remedies:
Air Duct Cleaning
Allbritten and most experts recommend that you have your air ducts cleaned regularly, and certainly not less than once every year. Your air ducts are in constant use as an essential part of your home’s comfort system, but dust, pet hair, and other contaminants can pile up in the ducts, leading to a significant reduction in your indoor air quality. In contrast, clean air ducts with new or washed filters mean that you’re getting great air coming into your home’s living spaces.
Air Purification
There’s a variety of systems for filtering the air coming into your home. The most common are filters themselves, which have a low price point but can be an efficient way to reduce the dust, pollutants, and pathogens coming into your home. More sophisticated, electronic filters can zap even more materials. Have trouble deciding what to do? Our technician will talk to you about what’s best for your home and indoor air quality.
Home Humidification
California isn’t exactly known for its humid weather, and many people enjoy the dry air outside. However, having a home that is too dry can have just as many consequences as one that is too humid. A dry home can cause an uptick in static electricity generation, peeling wallpaper, and cracks in drywall, especially in the winter. Plus, there are health impacts: many people get cracked lips and bloody noses if conditions are too dry. A humidifier may help you live more comfortably in your home.
What makes Allbritten the best choice?
We’re a trusted home cooling and heating company that has worked in Fresno and the Central Valley for more than 70 years. That means that we’ve been configuring indoor air quality solutions for longer than many other companies have been in business! We have indoor air quality specialists on staff, and our technicians have experience solving problems for our customers. Plus, we offer upfront pricing on everything, as well as a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
If you’re looking to improve your home’s indoor air quality, look no further than the company you’ve trusted with cooling and heating products for years: Allbritten. To get started with a test of your home’s air, give us a call!
