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Reduce Indoor Air Pollution With Your Air Conditioner

It might surprise you to learn that the air inside your home can contain about twice the outside air pollution. Most people think that going indoors will provide relief from allergies and other breathing issues related to pollution. But the truth is that there are more pollutants inside, but they are often from different sources. Fortunately, there are several ways that you can reduce the air pollution in your home.

Common Indoor Air Pollutants

While many people are concerned about the pollution levels outdoors, they never stop to think about the quality of the air inside their homes. The following are some common types of indoor pollutants.

  • Volatile Organic Compounds: VOCs are substances that are released into the air from everyday household items like paint, plastics, and resins from pressed wood products. The pollution comes from these materials off-gassing. Alarmingly, it can take several years for these materials to completely release all of their chemical contamination into the air.
  • Tobacco Smoke: Indoor smoking leaves nicotine stains on clothing, fabric, books, and other surfaces. This indoor pollutant can lead to many breathing issues for smokers and even non-smokers who are in the area.
  • Exhaust: Exhaust from furnaces, a fireplace, or stove, if not properly vented, can pollute the indoor air with soot and carbon monoxide.
  • Radon: Trace levels of uranium can be found in rocks and soil. As these materials naturally break down, they can enter your home through dirt floors, cracks in the concrete, and floor drains.

Ways To Reduce Indoor Pollutants

Fortunately, there are many ways that we can reduce the level of air pollution indoors. By lowering the level, we reduce the risk of short and long-term repercussions such as allergic reactions, including sore throat, watery eyes, sneezing, asthma-like reactions, and breathing difficulty.

  • Replace air filters regularly. The air filter in your air conditioner or HVAC is the best way to remove dust and pollutants from the air inside your home. There are high-quality filters that will work as well as a free-standing air purifier. And the air filter does nothing to introduce other allergens or pollution into the air as some of the other solutions might.
  • Open the windows. While this is an excellent option to reduce indoor pollutants, it can have a drawback if you live in a dusty or high-pollen area. You will be trading one set of pollutants for another. But it is better than nothing.
  • Lifestyle changes can be challenging, but they are also a great way to reduce indoor air pollution. One of the best practices is to limit smoking to outdoors. Another helpful change is either keeping pets outside or committing to regular bathing and grooming to reduce pet dander and the dust that comes into your home on your pet.

Help Your AC Help You

As we mentioned, your air conditioner is the best way to reduce dust and air pollutants in your home due to the unit’s air filter. But it is important to remember that the air filter in your AC unit is also responsible for filtering the air running inside the system. Its primary goal is to reduce or eliminate harmful dust from entering the delicate components inside the unit. So don’t wait until the ar filter is completely coated with dust and dirt to install a new filter. Be proactive and set a monthly reminder to replace your AC filter. 

The more dust accumulated on the filter, the harder your AC must work to keep your home cool and comfortable. So replacing the filter more often will lengthen the life of your air conditioner, keep your home more comfortable, and help keep your electric bill more reasonable. It is a small price to pay for a cool home all summer.

To learn more about improving the air quality in your home using your air conditioner or scheduling maintenance, call (512) 910-8123. The team at Parobek Plumbing & Air Conditioning is here to take your calls 24/7 and provide emergency service if your AC is not functioning correctly. We offer free no-obligation price quotes and the most affordable rates in the area. So you will never need to live without functional AC in your home. 

Get in touch with your local professionals today to schedule plumbing and HVAC service: 512-910-8123!

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Sean Fuentes
Sean Fuentes
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As a real estate agent I need trades that can respond fast with detailed estimates. Parobek exceeded both of the expectations I had for detail response time and estimates. I will use them again and will refer them to future clients.
Patti Boteler
Patti Boteler
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I called Parobek Plumbing and Air Conditioning late this morning because my clogged toilet wasn't unclogging with the methods that normally work. It was important because I only have one toilet and work from home. It's 3 o'clock and Daniel left about 20 minutes ago and I have my unclogged toilet working perfectly now.
Nora Sue Vinson
Nora Sue Vinson
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The worker looked for a plumbing leak and was very thorough, patient, and kind. He did not stop until I found the problem and took the time to explain it to me in detail. I would hire him again. Very good.
Jamie Jonston
Jamie Jonston
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Parobek was amazing! we woke up to low water pressure and bubbling water right outside the house. i called parobek and they squeezed me in same day! our technician was Phillip and his service was excellent. he was super professional and knowledgeable. he put us at ease and answered all of our questions. we were so impressed!
Kathy Svodoba
Kathy Svodoba
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Today's service was just a switch-out of a faucet. I'm very satisfied. Within the last week, I had a number of of jobs done, including installation of a reverse osmosis system. I have been exceedingly pleased. The service was prompt, professional and everyone was courteous and knowledgeable. Thanks.