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INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Air scrubber

IAQ

At Monk Heating & Air Conditioning we know indoor air quality (IAQ) is just as important as climate control. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that most Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors.  Unfortunately, pollutants can be two to three times more concentrated inside versus outside. That’s because most modern homes are heavily insulated which leaves little room for ventilation.

Monk Heating & Air Conditioning is a trusted name for providing top-notch heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services. When it comes to quality air, we want you to have the knowledge of when to make a change in your home.

Some common factors that impact your indoor air quality:
  • Poor ventilation
  • Damp Environment
  • Pest Infestation

How do you know if your home has poor indoor air quality?
Poor indoor air quality can affect people differently, but here are some of the symptoms you or your family may experience:
  • Coughing
  • Congestion
  • Nosebleeds
  • Sore throat
  • Sneezing
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness

It is important to change the air filter in your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump. The air filter helps boost indoor air quality by catching dust and debris that pass through it.

Dehumidifiers are an excellent solution if you have a humidity issue in your home. Dehumidifiers work by converting airborne moisture to liquid water that you can easily dispose of. Excess humidity leads to mold growth which could trigger allergy or asthma attacks.

Humidifiers provide a counterbalance by adding humidity to the air for increased comfort. If the air in your home is too dry you may experience:
  • Chapped lips or dry skin
  • Nosebleeds, congestion, or worsened cold symptoms
  • Damaged wood furniture, floors, or instruments

Air Scrubbers purify the air of contaminants. Air scrubbers release particles that travel through your home, attract the germs off of surfaces, and pull them back through the HVAC system to be filtered out of your indoor air.
To prevent some of these issues it is important to schedule a yearly maintenance on your system to make sure everything is performing as it should.

If you need help assessing your Indoor Air Quality, don’t hesitate to call Monk Heating & Air Conditioning at 570-333-COOL.

 

Ask The Experts-
Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How can I improve the air quality in my home?
A. There are many options to improve indoor air quality. Air quality includes humidity, CO2, and VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds).
 These issues can be improved by bringing fresh air into the home, expelling stale air, dehumidifying, or humidifying. Air Purifiers work by using a fan to pass air through internal filters that trap dust, allergens, and odors. Many air purifiers have ultraviolet lights to kill airborne bacteria and viruses.

Q. What type of air filter should I use?
A. Standard 1", pleated MERV 8 filters are ideal for most homes. If you have allergies, you can always increase the filter's MERV rating to a higher level, such as MERV 11 or 13.

Q. Should I install a whole home humidifier or dehumidifier?
A. Installation of a whole home humidifier or dehumidifier is a great addition and will have a significant increase in comfort and efficiency in your home. The difference would be entirely based on your home's specific needs.

Whole home humidifiers help maintain higher humidity levels during the cold, dry winter months, when heating systems tend to dry out the space, causing dry/ itchy skin, static electricity, and respiratory issues.

Whole home dehumidifiers help maintain lower humidity levels during hot, humid summers. Have you ever heard the phrase, "It's not the heat, it's the humidity"? Bringing down the humidity levels during cooling season will help a home feel cooler even at higher temperatures. You may not even need your AC as much, since you will be cool and dry! 



Q. Can my HVAC system help with my allergies?
A. A properly filtered and balanced HVAC system will help with allergies by maintaining desired temperature and humidity. If you suffer from severe allergies, opening windows may not be an option to get fresh air into the home. With a well-filtered ventilation system and humidity-control options, you can keep your home air clean and comfortable year-round. 



If you have any questions, concerns, or need a reliable company
to keep your home comfortable, give us a call!
-Jim Monk, Co-Owner & Service Manager

HVAC Installations & Repairs you can trust!

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