In the 35-year span between 1980 and 2014, over 4.6 million Americans succumbed to different chronic respiratory illnesses. This is surprising given how an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study found that US citizens spend nearly 87 percent of their time inside the house. But the truth is, indoor elements now pose a significant threat to people’s respiratory health. The pollutant levels in the home environment are two to five time greater, maybe even 100 times greater than the number of contaminants present outdoors. No wonder, the EPA lists indoor air among the top five environmental factors affecting our constitution. Although ventilation is the simplest way to keep your home healthy and clean and ward off respiratory issues, it is not a foolproof solution. Instead, people living in hot and humid areas like Bakersfield, Lancaster, Clearwater, and other US cities must turn on the air conditioning system periodically so that clean, filtered air can flow into their homes. Find more information on the negative effects of poor air quality and how ACs combat the problem below:
Minimize Damage to Your Housing
Believe it or not, bad indoor air causes extensive damage to your home over time. Not directly, of course, but in humid areas like Florida, water vapor attaches itself to aerosol particles in the air and when this excess moisture settles on the walls of your building and the attic, structural rot sets in. Air pollutants also affect the section of your home surrounding the frames of windows and doors, prompting the onset of window condensation, mold growth, and musty odors. Other housing issues include peeling paint, back-drafting appliances, ice buildup on roof edges, damp basements, and increased electricity expenses. It is up to the residents to plug all air leaks within the structure and then turn on the AC so that the excess moisture and common pollutants get expelled from your home into the outdoors.
Prevent Respiratory Problems
The impact of poor indoor air quality on your health is not immediately noticeable. Symptoms take a while to appear, but once they do, it’s hard to get rid of the dizziness, nausea, sneezing, congestion, fatigue, and irritation. According to the AAFA (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America), almost 50 million Americans are affected by seasonal allergies (Source: www.aafa.org). The worst part is, barricading yourself indoors yields no results as contaminants like pollen, smoke, fibers from synthetic fabrics and carpets, and gases from cooking devices and water heaters cause deterioration of your health. Turning on your AC clears all the pollutants indoors, allowing you to breathe in clean, filtered air.
Eradicate Dust Mites
They might not be visible to the naked eye, but dust mites are literally everywhere. Even inside your home, there are millions of these microscopic living particulates that cause allergies, including coughing, wheezing, and sneezing. Given their huge numbers and tenaciousness, it’s hard to expel dust mites completely, but switching on your AC can at least deter them from entering your home. How? Well, dust mites are fond of warm, wet surroundings. So, if you use the air conditioner to dry out the indoor environment and maintain a cool temperature, it will limit their growth and population considerably.
Running the air conditioning system is a must for residents of Clearwater, Phoenix, and other subtropical cities in the US. The function of this equipment is not limited to lowering the temperature of your home; it also keeps your house dry and cool, removing excess moisture and other environmental conditions required by the allergens to thrive. In the process, it keeps you safe and healthy and prevents the building itself from sustaining further damage.
