Residential HVAC Indoor Air Quality Services

More often than not, an inefficient heating and cooling system degrades indoor air quality, and without regular HVAC maintenance, it can compromise your health. Indoor air quality (IAQ), which refers to the air quality both within and around buildings and structures, has a direct impact on the health and comfort of a household’s occupants. IAQ is affected by a wide range of factors that can pose severe health effects on homeowners and their loved ones. Breathe easy with professional IAQ services. Bloomington Heating & Air is committed to providing our customers with healthy, comfortable, and energy-efficient indoor environments through high-quality HVAC services. Contact us for more information about our available indoor air products and services and to schedule residential HVAC services you can count on.

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Residential HVAC Indoor Air Quality Services In Bloomington, MN

Signs Of Bad Air Quality In Your Home

Modern homes are constructed using tight perimeters, sealed air ducts, and upgraded insulation. While these exacting standards offer substantial energy-saving benefits, such as lower utility costs and reduced waste, excessively insulated, tight homes trap indoor air pollutants due to low air-exchange rates, degrading the level of indoor air quality. Many of us don’t think twice about the air we breathe — homeowners might recognize when the air in their home is either too hot or too cold, but the presence of poor indoor air quality might not be readily apparent. The impacts of bad air quality, however, can be detrimental to health and even lead to death, when carbon monoxide or other pollutants are present in high concentrations. The health effects of poor indoor air quality include the following.

  • Headaches
  • Shortness Of Breath
  • Sore Or Swollen Throat
  • Sinus Problems
  • Musty Odors
  • Irritated, Watery Eyes
  • Cancer
  • Burning Nose
  • Persistent Fatigue
  • Worsening Allergies
  • Flu-Like Symptoms
  • Heart Disease
  • Dizziness
  • Respiratory Diseases
  • Worsening Asthma
  • Coughing & Sneezing
  • Dusty Surfaces
  • Mold & Mildew Growth

How Poor Indoor Air Quality Affects Your HVAC System

One of the primary factors affecting home indoor air quality is the effectiveness of a residence’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. HVAC systems are like the respiratory system of a building. These systems are responsible for providing thermal comfort and satisfactory IAQ for its inhabitants. For an HVAC system to function properly, however, it must have an appropriately programed and functional thermostat; properly-sealed ductwork; sufficient insulation; and modern heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment and components.

Outdated and poorly maintained home heating and cooling systems can quickly lead to a myriad of problems with IAQ. For both new and old HVAC units, however, the presence of airborne contaminants can render the system ineffective at providing adequate indoor comfort and reduce the system’s functional lifespan. A high concentration of airborne contaminants can also cause the HVAC system to waste energy and work overtime to meet the thermostat’s preset temperature demands.

Heaters & Furnaces

Many homeowners rely on their home’s furnace to keep their indoor spaces warm and comfortable throughout the fall and winter. But without proper maintenance and timely repairs, your furnace might contribute to poor indoor air quality. If your current furnace uses natural gas, propane, or oil to keep your house warm, the air within your home could be contaminated by carbon monoxide (CO) gas — colorless and odorless, this gas is produced as a byproduct of combustion. If the home is not properly ventilated, the repercussions could be deadly. Outdated furnaces and heaters requiring repairs often fail to properly regulate moisture levels and clean the air in your home, which leads to the worsening of allergy symptoms among other severe health issues. Protect your air quality and your family’s safety with heating services, including heating repair and new furnace installation services from Bloomington Heating & Air.

Air Filters

When it comes to indoor air quality, using the correct type of and appropriately sized air filter are factors just as important as ensuring your HVAC system functions as it should — the consequences of using the wrong air filter could result in a toxic indoor environment unsafe for inhabitants. Air filters that are too large for your residential heating and cooling system won’t be able to adequately trap allergens and contaminants circulating through the air. Conversely, air filters that are too small can diminish proper airflow, putting excessive strain on the unit and increasing the chances for a breakdown. There are plenty of different types of air filters available for sale both online and in stores — wherever you purchase air filters, it’s important to ensure the filters match your system’s exact specifications and requirements. Contact our HVAC company for more information or for help with identifying the right air filter for your system.

Air Conditioners

Moisture plays a significant role in the quality of indoor air. Moisture-rich environments with high levels of heat create the perfect breeding grounds for certain pollutants, such as mold, mildew, dust mites, and other allergens. The key to controlling indoor moisture levels and improving IAQ is to limit the amount of moisture in the air. High moisture levels can likewise wreak havoc on your air conditioner. Cooling systems contain filters that trap airborne contaminants, but issues such as failing to replace the filters and a high concentration of pollutants can render the system’s filtration abilities obsolete. Poor IAQ coupled with high moisture and heat levels can make the cooling system work overtime, predisposing it to premature failure and unexpected breakdowns. Catching HVAC issues early and scheduling prompt AC services, including AC repair and air conditioning installation, can boost IAQ.

What Does MERV Rating On Air Filters Mean?

A Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV rating, tells you — on a scale of 1-16 — how effectively your filter traps airborne pollutants and indoor contaminants throughout your home. The higher the MERV rating, the higher the number of particles the filter can trap. Filters with high MERV ratings are extremely effective in preventing the circulation of pollen, bacteria, and pet dander from circulating throughout a building.

What MERV Rating Should I Use?

Using a filter with a MERV rating that is too high for your system could prevent the air from circulating, which may result in a lower IAQ. Greater resistance also means more work for your HVAC system — if you’re using a filter with a MERV rating that is not compatible with your system, you may face high energy costs and decreased HVAC performance. We recommend that homeowners aim for a MERV rating between 8 and 13 — contact us for help identifying which MERV rating works best for the needs of your home. The most popular types of filters include:

  • Permanent electrostatic: This washable filter is eco-friendly and built to last a lifetime. It can be reused permanently within furnaces, ACs, and HVAC units.
  • High-efficiency pleated: The standard for most HVAC systems, their design provides a larger area for capturing particles and is made from synthetic cotton.
  • Disposable pleated: Made from polyester, this filter traps small particulates, such as dust mites from the air. This type of filter requires frequent replacement.
  • Disposable electrostatic: This type of filter is ideal for households with pets, kids, or smokers. Airborne pollutants are trapped through electrostatic cotton fibers.
  • Disposable fiberglass: These filters are the most common type of filter available. They are made from strong layers of fiberglass and must be replaced monthly.

How Our HVAC Maintenance Services Can Improve Your Air Quality

On average, Americans spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, where concentrations of certain pollutants can be two to five times higher than typical outdoor conditions. This is particularly significant for those suffering from respiratory issues. Investing in routine HVAC maintenance services can help safeguard your home’s air quality and prevent contaminants from circulating. Bloomington Heating & Air provides HVAC services and residential indoor air quality solutions to improve the health and comfort of our clients and their family members. In addition to boosted IAQ, HVAC maintenance can help homeowners save on energy bills, extend the lifespan of their systems, and prevent costly breakdowns.

Cut Energy Bills

Preventative maintenance helps ensure that your HVAC system runs at peak efficiency — which can translate into substantial savings on monthly utility bills. When your system runs as it should, the quality of your home’s indoor air can also contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

Prevent Costly Breakdowns

HVAC maintenance can reduce the risk of inconvenient, unexpected system breakdowns by approximately 95 percent, keeping your home comfortable year-round. Ensuring your system functions at peak efficiency ensures that interior filters can likewise do their job.

Extend System Lifespan

Regular, planned maintenance extends the functional lifespan of HVAC systems, reducing the likelihood of needing premature system replacements. We change air filters and clean condenser coils, both of which are key for HVAC preservation and clean indoor air.

Benefits Of Indoor Air Quality Services For Bloomington Residents

Not all air is created equal — a residential structure with poor levels of air quality can severely affect the health and wellbeing of its inhabitants. Fortunately, our highly skilled HVAC technicians can efficiently install, effectively maintain, and promptly repair your heating and cooling system to keep your indoor air healthy.

Breathe Easy Indoors

Poor indoor air quality reduces our ability to breathe properly, which could lead to several respiratory issues. With our home IAQ services, Bloomington homeowners enjoy easy, deep breathing with clean, high-quality air. Boosting air quality can even help promote better, deeper sleep cycles — our respiration requirements change during different stages of slumber; strong IAQ levels can help foster higher-quality sleep.

Disinfect For Kids & Pets

Households with kids and pets typically have higher demands for indoor air purification than those without. Children are more susceptible to illnesses and diseases — including asthma and other respiratory issues — associated with poor indoor air quality. Household pets regularly produce pet dander, which can be a source of airborne pollution in a home. Residential HVAC air purification can effectively prevent dander from circulating in the home.

Zap Foul Odors

If your interior spaces produce musty odors, it’s likely that your home suffers from poor IAQ. Poor airflow, inadequate ventilation, and ineffective air filtration can all lead to the development and spread of mold and mildew inside of the home, particularly in dark, damp areas. Upgrades to IAQ will both diminish those smells and benefit every indoor space throughout the structure. Want to find out more? Contact Bloomington Heating & Air!

Banish Air Pollution

Whether your heating, cooling, and ventilation system is past its functional lifespan or your HVAC unit is in need of timely repairs, we can help ensure your indoor spaces are both comfortable and healthy. Through our HVAC repair and installation services, we offer effective air filtration tools that get rid of airborne pollutants and contaminants at their core. We can help you identify the air purification solution that best meets your needs.

Diminish Allergy Symptoms

Cleaner air means better breathing — we offer multiple indoor air solutions, including air purifiers for allergies, specifically designed to help individuals suffering from allergies and other respiratory conditions breathe easier while at home. Our technicians can inspect your system to determine the best filtration option and help you decide whether a system upgrade would be beneficial for year-round relief from allergy symptoms.

Balance Humidity Levels

Our residential HVAC IAQ services can help you control indoor moisture levels in order to increase comfort and to prevent mold and bacteria growth. Air that is too dry can cause skin irritation and nosebleeds, while air that is too moist can lead to the development of airborne allergens and structural damage. Our technicians can help you achieve an ideal humidity level — between 45 percent and 55 percent — for maximum home comfort.

Comprehensive Residential IAQ Services From Bloomington Heating & Air

If you’re wondering how to improve indoor air quality with your HVAC system, look no further than Bloomington Heating & Air. Our technicians can help you enjoy higher-quality air and boosted home comfort with our wide range of comprehensive heating and cooling services, including maintenance, repair, and installations. Contact us today for more information about our available services or to schedule HVAC indoor air quality services for your home.