Did you know that according to the American Lung Association’s “State of the Air 2021” report, 40% of Americans live with unhealthy air?
Riverside County, California, received an F from the American Lung Association for its outdoor air quality. Now consider the report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which stated that indoor concentrations of pollutants can be two to five times higher than outdoor concentrations. You can then see why managing your indoor air quality (IAQ) is so important, especially for those most susceptible to poor IAQ, such as the very young, those with cardiovascular or respiratory disease, and those suffering from asthma, allergies, and other respiratory issues.
How do you know if your IAQ is good or bad? If it is bad, what is the actual problem? Is it a high level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)? Is the issue the particulates or the humidity in the home? Is the silent killer carbon monoxide present? Treating poor IAQ is a lot like treating a person when they don’t feel well. First, we must perform some tests to determine if there is a problem and the extent of that problem. Once we know that, we can prescribe the proper treatment to improve or correct the problems causing poor IAQ.
There is an accurate, affordable and easy way to test your IAQ. Air Advice® is a small device about the size of a lunch box. When you place it in your home for 30 minutes, it produces an easy-to-understand colored report. With the Air Advice® report, you will know if your home has particulates, airborne chemicals, humidity, or carbon monoxide present and, if so, at what levels. If present in the air, each of these requires a different treatment method. Knowing the issues and the extent allows you to choose the best prescription for your home and health.
Many of us filter our water or only drink bottled water, yet we don’t think much about the air we breathe. Most homes use a one-inch pleated filter designed to protect your air conditioner’s coil from building up layers of dirt from the particulates being sucked into your home’s HVAC system. These filters only filter large particulates, allowing most to pass through, and they do not purify the air. There is a saying: “Either your HVAC system filters the air you breathe, or your lungs do.” You owe it to yourself and your family to know your home’s IAQ.
General Air Conditioning & Plumbing® are experts in IAQ and are trained and authorized to use Air Advice®. How much does it cost? $89. However, if you are a Service Plus Member, it is included in your membership. Our technician can perform the test during your annual heating or cooling maintenance.
Call and schedule to have your home tested at your convenience. Call The General today at (760) 303-5899 or visit us online at callthegeneral.com.
