Is Your HVAC Affecting Your Indoor Air Quality in Cabot, AR?

Did you know that your HVAC system plays a big part in maintaining your indoor air quality in your Cabot AR, home? Read on to learn everything you need to understand about how your HVAC system might be negatively affecting the air quality inside your home.

Inefficient HVAC Systems Lead to Humidity Problems

Your AC system works to regulate the humidity levels inside your home. Moisture is removed during the cooling process to make sure you don’t experience too little or too much humidity.

If you don’t have your HVAC system maintained periodically, then it’s possible to experience humidity and air quality problems as your air conditioner operates less efficiently. Too little moisture results in sore throats, allergies, static electricity, itchy skin and other respiratory issues. Too much humidity leads to the growth of bacteria and other biological growth.

Back-Drafting Due to Ductwork Leaks

There is a situation where combustion gases get released when a home’s pressure differential gets compromised due to low indoor air pressure. It’s a process called back-drafting, and it allows combustion gases from water heaters or furnaces to re-enter the house. One such deadly gas that can enter your home is carbon monoxide.

Negative pressure results when ductwork leaks are present within your HVAC system. It’s worth it to have a periodic indoor air quality consultation performed by an HVAC specialist so that you can quickly catch this type of problem.

Leaky Ducts Allow Animal Infiltration

Back-drafting isn’t the only problem caused by leaky ductwork. Rodents and other animals can gain access to your home via disconnected return ducts. These animals will most likely die inside the ductwork or in a crawlspace.

You’ll notice a nasty smell when air that passes over animal droppings or remains and then gets distributed into your living environment. The most effective HVAC system in the world can’t eliminate those terrible odors.

Leaky ducts give you plenty of other pollutants to worry about even if you never experience the extreme situation of an animal dying inside the system. You could suffer from allergic reactions and respiratory issues when these other types of contaminants work their way into your home:

• Bio-aerosols
• Bacteria
• Dirt
• Pollution
• Pet dander
• Pollen

Clogged Air Filter

It’s imperative to change the air filter periodically. A clogged air filter creates a situation where your AC system works harder than it should to circulate air throughout your home.

You’ll notice higher energy bills and a strain on working parts such as the blower belt and motor. A dirty air filter also negatively impacts your home’s indoor air quality because the HVAC system can’t properly remove pollutants and contaminants.

Temperature Variations

Temperature imbalance is one of the leading causes of AC-related discomfort or health problems. This imbalance might come from leaking ductwork, an incorrectly installed thermostat or a broken thermostat display. A wide enough swing in temperature affects indoor air quality and can cause respiratory issue flare-ups.

Unpleasant Odors

Your home’s indoor air quality will suffer when problems within the HVAC system produce bad odors. For example, you might smell an electrical odor coming from your system’s vents. This is likely due to a faulty wiring issue.

Stop using the HVAC system when you notice odors that shouldn’t be there. Not only do these smells negatively impact your health, but bad wiring can easily lead to a fire. Call a professional HVAC technician and get the problem fixed before operating the system again.

Are you concerned that your HVAC system has any of these issues that are compromising your home’s indoor air quality? Contact one of our friendly Freyaldenhoven Heating and Cooling representatives so that we can schedule an indoor air quality consultation or service appointment. We’ll let you know the state of your home’s air quality and what you need to do about any recommended improvements.

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