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What Are The Most Common Indoor Air Pollutants?

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Indoor Air Quality.

The air you and your family breathe in your home can be quite hazardous to your general health. That is especially true during the cold winter months when doors and windows are kept firmly shut and homes are made airtight to conserve energy. Indoor air pollutants have been linked to various health effects, including respiratory problems, chronic cough, lethargy, frequent colds, headaches, eye irritation, memory lapses and dizziness.

Once you identify or suspect the real culprits, you can significantly reduce or probably prevent many indoor pollutants. Here are some of the most common pollutants you can find inside your homes and ways to prevent them.

1. Mold

Mold refers to forms of fungi that can grow outside and indoors. Some types are usually harmless, while others are hazardous. Mold can easily trigger some allergic reactions in some individuals. The symptoms of these allergies can include headaches, skin irritation, nasal stuffiness, swelling, coughing, wheezing, throat or eye irritation. Mold might also trigger severe asthma attacks in some people.

According to experts, the key to eliminating mold in your home is keeping humidity and moisture levels in check. Clean up any spills and fix leaks in your house as soon as possible. Keep your bathroom windows open or keep your fan on when taking showers. Also, ensure that you vent all the appliances that generate moisture.

2. Asbestos

Asbestos refers to mineral fibers that occur naturally in soils and rocks. Due to its heat resistance or strength, asbestos is used in many construction materials, including roofing shingles and insulation. Asbestos is also used in cars’ friction products and as a fire decelerator.

Exposure to asbestos for extended periods can increase your risk of developing asbestosis, mesothelioma, or lung disease. If you have products in your home that contain asbestos, keep them in good condition or have them removed by trained professionals near you.

3. Secondhand Smoke

Environmental tobacco smoke or secondhand smoke refers to a mixture of smoke generated by burning tobacco products like cigars and cigarettes. Experts refer to secondhand smoke exposure as passive smoking. Short-term exposure to smoke can lead to throat, eye, and nose irritations. You can also experience various health issues like wheezing, bronchitis, lung cancer, and pneumonia due to long-term exposure.

Secondhand smoke exposure might also trigger asthma attacks in some individuals. To avoid this air pollutant in your home, avoid smoking cigars, pipe tobacco, or cigarettes inside your house. You can have a smoking zone outdoors in your yard, away from the main living area.

4. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

NO2 is a corrosive and toxic gas from the nitrogen oxide family. It’s released from burning fuel, especially from power plants, trucks, and cars. When high levels of nitrogen dioxide combine with water, it can eventually form acid rain. This toxic irritates the respiratory tract, nose, eyes and throat. Moderate exposure to nitrogen dioxide can lead to chronic or acute bronchitis. People can also get lung injury or pulmonary edema when exposed to high levels of this reactive gas.

In low levels, nitrogen dioxide can lead to impaired lung function in vulnerable people like children, asthmatics and those with chronic lung disease. According to the EPA, it’s vital to ensure that all combustion appliances in your home are installed correctly, kept in good condition and used as directed by the manufacturers. Ensure that the air emitted by these appliances can easily flow outdoors to avoid indoor pollution.

5. Carbon Monoxide (CO)

CO refers to an odorless gas emitted whenever fossil fuels are incompletely burned. Gas heaters and kerosene lamps are the greatest indoor contributors of carbon monoxide, while vehicles are the main sources of this gas outdoors. CO prevents your body from utilizing the oxygen it requires to function normally. This invisible gas can lead to a fast heart rate, nausea, dizziness, headaches, and fatigue. If CO concentration is high, it can significantly reduce the oxygen being transported to critical organs, leading to death.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a threat to enclosed indoor areas with poor ventilation because the gas is unlikely to occur in high levels outside. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in your residence, have all your heating systems inspected and maintained by a professional annually. You can avoid using gas stoves to heat your home, and don’t use any combustion appliance without vents inside. Also, ensure that all your combustion appliances are installed correctly by a professional.

6. Particulate Matter

Particle pollution or particulate matter refers to a combination of some solid particles present in the air. Some of the particles are so big that you can easily see them with your naked eyes, while others are too small, and you can only see them using a microscope. Most often, particulate matter results from complex chemical reactions from various contaminants produced by burning fuels. It can also be produced directly from other sources like beaches or construction sites.

In the long term, particle pollution exposure can cause severe health complications such as aggravated asthma, irregular heartbeats, increased respiratory symptoms, and even heart attacks. People with preexisting allergic reactions and respiratory illnesses are at a higher risk of suffering from the adverse effects of particulate matter. Work with a professional to determine the exposure level to this contaminant, and take the necessary actions to eliminate it from your home.

7. Wood Smoke

Smoke refers to a complicated composition of gases and particulate matter or fine microscopic particles generated when you burn wood and any other organic matter. As discussed above, the biggest health risk from wood smoke originates from the smoke’s particle pollution.

According to statistics, many people still utilize wood stoves for cooking their meals and warming their homes. These stoves provide the benefits of warmth and food, but they can also emit toxic smoke, especially if your house is not properly ventilated. Switching to newer technology will help minimize health risks caused by wood smoke and enhance the quality of air in your home.

8. Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs

VOCs refer to gases released by certain liquids or solid substances. They include an array of chemicals that can lead to long-term and short-term health effects. VOCs can result from various products used in our homes, such as aerosol sprays, wood preservatives, pesticides, moth repellants, and stored fuels. Other items that emit VOCs include disinfectants, cleansers, dry-cleaned clothing, preservatives, paints, and air fresheners. Volatile organic compounds can lead to various health issues like headaches, throat, eye, nose irritations, and damage to the central nervous system, kidney, and liver.

Bottom Line

There are many sources of indoor pollutants, but this article has only highlighted some of the common ones. These air contaminants can affect your comfort and health. Some health complications can show up years later after long-term exposure or immediately after short-term or single exposure. If you suspect air pollution in your house or poor indoor air quality, it would be best to contact professionals from Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating to carry out an air quality assessment. We will also create customized solutions to clean your indoor air and restore your comfort.

Our company offers other services, too, including quality custom ductwork, AC and heating repairs, installation, and maintenance services. If you live in Hanover, MD, and you’re experiencing air quality issues, call us today, and our reliable team will help restore safe and breathable air in your home.

Air purifiers vs Plants

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Indoor Air Quality.

Indoor air quality is a concern for many homes today. Modern furnishings and materials are responsible for up to 90% of the contaminants. But how can you manage your indoor air quality? In this article, we compare plants and air purification systems.

Can Plants Clean the Air?

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of some of the 1970s trends. One such trend is the use of houseplants to purify the air. Using plants may seem like a great idea since they accentuate your interior design choices. Gardening is also a healthy hobby that can be fulfilling for many homeowners.

Unfortunately, the idea that plants can capture toxins and allergens from the air is hardly true. Several studies have already debunked the myth. When compared to home purification systems, their ability to clean the air is negligible.

Plants can get rid of toxins but at such a low rate that they cannot compete with conventional purification systems. The surface area of a plant’s leaf is too small to take in significant quantities of air. You will need 10 of them for every square foot. That translates to about 5,000 plants for a five by five-foot space.

Why the Confusion?

The reason the myth is so prevalent is that the claims usually rely on old studies. Research by NASA from 30 years ago indicates that plants can indeed remove some pollutants like VOCs.

The level of Volatile Organic Compounds indoors can be up to two to five times the concentration outdoors. VOCs can cause respiratory problems as well as eye and nose irritation after a short duration of exposure. Unfortunately, they cannot be removed by your average electrostatic purifier.

That is why studies showing some plant’s ability to remove VOCs have generated so much interest. However, the NASA study was done in a lab, where the experiment does not match your indoor environment.

Why Plants Are Impractical for Air Purification

Plants may seem like an economical option for addressing indoor air quality concerns in your home. They take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen and humidity. That is in contrast to a home purification system that consumes considerable amounts of energy to remove toxins.

But there are several reasons why plants are impractical. Unlike in a hermetically sealed lab environment, your home allows air to get in from the outdoors. The incoming airflow will introduce new pollutants as soon as the plant completes its purification cycle.

The rate at which the houseplant can remove pollutants in your home is too slow to be useful. Since you’ll need at least 10 plants per square foot, you’ll be effectively turning the room into a garden. Even then, the capacity to purify is marginal in comparison to a purification system.

Additionally, houseplants cannot remove pollutants that a basic air purifier will capture. For example, pet dander, allergens and dust will only settle on the plan’s leaf, unlike the VOCs it can process.

Plants also require a lot of upkeep. You’ll need to water, weed and prune them every now and then. That translates to more resources and time spent on indoor gardening. The amount of care the houseplant will require will depend on the species. Some houseplants require a consistent interior temperature, which may consume the energy you’re trying to save.

The Challenges of Removing Volatile Organic Compounds

VOCs are a group of toxic compounds found in skincare products, paints and adhesives. You could have a significant concentration of VOCs if you’ve done some renovation work recently. The toxin gases could also be coming from vehicle traffic from a road close to your home.

One problem with VOCs is that electrostatic and HEPA filters cannot capture the toxins. Even though HEPA filters can stop particles as small as 0.3 micrometers, they still won’t capture VOCs. Gases are even smaller than that and will require a specialized air purifier.

Another challenge is that the source of VOCs may continue releasing the toxic gases indefinitely. How much they continue to introduce contaminants will depend on the material. Some of the VOCs, such as those from paint, will emit toxins after six months. But other items in your home like the particulate board or MDF can continue releasing the gas for two decades.

Therefore, you must locate the pollutant before you think of installing a filtration system. An indoor air quality monitor can help track hazardous contaminants in your home. Removing the material that releases VOCs is the best first step to take to make your home safe from toxins.

Activated Carbon Filter Versus Plants for VOCs

Although plants can filter VOCs, their capacity is marginal and impractical. Also, a regular filtration system cannot capture the toxic gas due to the small size of the particles. So how can you eliminate volatile organic compounds from your home?

One of the most effective solutions is to use activated carbon filters. Activated carbon has minute pores with a low volume. The structure of its molecules allows for a large surface area that can capture different types of compounds.

The filter works by adsorption, where molecules from a fluid adhere to the surface of activated charcoal. Some studies show that it can capture between 60 and 80% of gaseous toxins. One of its applications is to control hazardous nuclear waste.

Air Purifiers and Managing Indoor Air Quality

Many types of pollutants can pose a risk to your home. They include particulate matter, ozone, radon, Asbestos and biological contaminants. You should understand the type of contaminant you are dealing with before you take any remedial steps.

You should also note that indoor air quality issues can create more complicated problems if not resolved on time. For example, high levels of humidity can cause biological contaminants to thrive in your home. Vapor combined with warmth can encourage a bacterial or mold spore infestation.

Understanding the nature of the pollution will help you determine the best course of action to take. For instance, species like the Jade Plant can humidify the room. But the extra moisture may be destructive if humidity levels are already high in the building.

The EPA suggests improving ventilation in the interior to address indoor air quality concerns. When the air from the outdoors gets into your home, it dilutes harmful toxins. Enclosed spaces allow for particulate matter and VOCs to accumulate.

Unfortunately, plants cannot remove significant amounts of pollutants, especially where there is ventilation. It is also much harder to determine the plants you’ll need to remove pollutants in a given space.

Another approach to indoor air quality is to use monitors to detect contaminants in your home. The process is much more verifiable and scientific. Plants can enhance aesthetics and complement other air purification systems. You can talk to Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating ‘s certified technicians for effective air quality solutions in Hanover.

The condition of your ductwork and AC system can have an impact on your indoor air quality. Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating ‘s BBB-accredited service has a team of experienced professionals who can install whole-home humidifiers. We offer installation services for cooling and heating systems. Our team can also provide dependable custom ductwork and metal fabrication solutions.

If you need dependable indoor air quality solutions you can rely on, consult Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating ‘s team in Hanover today.

Should I Be Worried About Carbon Monoxide in My Home?

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Indoor Air Quality.

When thinking through common home threats in Hanover, most people tackle the visible threats first. After all, it’s much easier to set up a home security system to protect against potential intruders that you can see than it is to install security measures for a threat that you can’t see. When protecting your home from threats, though, it’s sometimes the threats that you can’t see that pose the biggest risk. That’s why at Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating, we recommend taking these unseen threats seriously, such as the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning.

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

The chemistry behind carbon monoxide is simple. Carbon monoxide is a gas whose molecules are each made from one carbon atom and one oxygen atom. Similar to other carbon-based gases, carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless and tasteless. This means that carbon monoxide is impossible for humans to detect, even in high concentrations. Carbon monoxide occurs naturally but can also be produced through the burning of fossil fuels.

How Is Carbon Monoxide Produced?

As mentioned, carbon monoxide is produced when fossil fuels are burned. Specifically, carbon monoxide is released when incomplete combustion occurs. Since oxygen is a necessary ingredient for combustion to occur, complete combustion results in the production of carbon dioxide, representing the extra oxygen atom that is added to the molecule. However, if combustion occurs in a low-oxygen environment, carbon monoxide will be produced.

How Does a Furnace Produce Carbon Monoxide?

The burner on a gas furnace from Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating produces a large amount of flame in a small area. Thus, although the burner is quite efficient at combustion, there is typically some carbon monoxide that is produced during this combustion process. Fortunately, any carbon monoxide that is produced is typically vented through the furnace’s exhaust vent to allow it to escape into the outside air.

However, if the exhaust vent isn’t properly maintained, some of the carbon monoxide that is produced can escape into your home. Additionally, a furnace can produce carbon monoxide if there is a problem with the burner. If the burner is dirty or damaged, it can result in an incorrect mix of oxygen and gas, resulting in an increase in the amount of carbon monoxide that is produced.

What Are the Effects of Carbon Monoxide Exposure?

In small concentrations, carbon monoxide generally won’t cause any ill effects. However, as the concentration increases, you will begin to experience the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning. Some carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision and even loss of consciousness.

These symptoms occur because the carbon monoxide replaces the oxygen in your lungs, leading to low blood-oxygen levels that impede your body’s normal functioning. If you aren’t able to escape to fresh air quickly enough, carbon monoxide poisoning can result in death, meaning that carbon monoxide is something that you should take very seriously.

How to Avoid Exposure to Carbon Monoxide

Given the serious side effects of carbon monoxide exposure, it’s important to avoid exposure at all costs. The most important way to do this is to have Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating inspect and maintain your heating system.

A routine inspection will include a check of the burner and exhaust vent, plus a test of the draft inducer. The draft inducer is a component that’s mounted in your system’s exhaust vent and pulls air into the exhaust vent. This helps create negative pressure to ensure that any exhaust gases, including carbon monoxide, are safely vented out of your home.

Early Warning Is Key

While it’s vital to keep your heating system properly maintained, it’s also important to have a way to alert yourself if carbon monoxide finds its way into your home. That’s why carbon monoxide detectors are a must-have item for every home. These devices work similarly to smoke detectors in that they monitor the air in your home 24/7 for any sign of danger.

If a detector senses carbon monoxide, it will beep loudly to alert you to leave your home immediately. This beeping is loud enough to wake you up if a carbon monoxide release happens at night. Since a carbon monoxide release can happen anywhere at any time, it’s important to have detectors on every level of your home. Make sure that the alarm can be heard in every bedroom. If your detector goes off, but you aren’t experiencing symptoms, it’s still important to exit your home, as a carbon monoxide detector is designed to alert you of a problem before you become incapacitated.

What to Look for

Although it’s impossible to detect carbon monoxide by itself, there are some signs you can look for that can indicate a possible carbon monoxide leak. Of course, the pros at Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating do not recommend substituting these signs for the protection that a carbon monoxide detector can provide since these signs don’t always show up.

If you notice brownish-yellow stains around the exhaust vent or elsewhere on your heating system, it could be a sign of a carbon monoxide leak. Since carbon monoxide is released largely due to incomplete combustion, these stains serve as evidence that such combustion is occurring. Stale air, the smell of other gases, such as natural gas, and unusually high levels of condensation on windows can also serve as signs that carbon monoxide is lurking in your home.

How to Help

Even if you have your furnace properly serviced by Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating, you may still experience issues with carbon monoxide in your home. That’s because carbon monoxide can be released from other sources in addition to heating systems. For example, if you have a fireplace in your home, you need to make sure that the chimney isn’t blocked and that there’s a good upward draft at all times.

Also, if you have an attached garage, make sure to never leave your car running in the garage, as that could allow carbon monoxide to enter your home, even if the garage door is open. Finally, if you have a gas stove, pay close attention to it, as dirty burners can create the conditions that are necessary for carbon monoxide to be released.

What to Do

If there is a carbon monoxide release in your home, the first thing you must do is to evacuate your home quickly. Fresh air is the only cure for overexposure to carbon monoxide. Once everyone in your family is safe, you’ll want to call the fire department so that they can enter your home with respirators and try to stop the carbon monoxide at its source. After the threat has been cleared, you’ll need to call Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating or the appropriate service company for the affected appliance to ensure that the problem is taken care of for good.

Your Safety Is Our Priority

Every employee of Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating has your safety as their top priority. That’s why we work hard to properly maintain and repair your furnace. Of course, we can also repair and maintain your air conditioner or install new HVAC equipment when you have a need in the greater Annapolis, MD, area. We can also install heat pumps, custom ductwork and indoor air quality control equipment. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, you can be sure that you’ll be treated with respect when you contact us at Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating today.

The Best Air Purifiers For Germs

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Indoor Air Quality.

Do you know what a pathogen is? A pathogen is a particulate usually found in the air that can produce disease. This includes germs, bacteria, and viruses. You may not realize this, but your Hanover house could be full of pathogens right now. Pathogens can attach to microscopic dust and dirt particulate floating in the air of your house right into your mouth, nose, or ears, making you sick.

Everyone wants to avoid getting sick, but they may not even realize that the reason they are getting sick is the air in their own home. Is the air in your house clean? Is it clean enough? If you are like most homeowners, the answer to that is probably no.

One thing you can do to improve the overall air quality in your home and, in turn, the overall health of the people living in it is using an air purifier. Air purifiers come in a variety of shapes and sizes with different power capabilities and energy usage.

Pathogens can linger in the air for hours, sometimes even days, so it is a good idea to do everything you can to get rid of them with a filtration system of some kind. If you are considering getting an air purifier to use in your home or place of business, here are some great models you can check out to help you get started in your search.

GermGuardian AC4100

The GermGuardian AC4100 is a lower-priced model offered by one of the most recognizable brands in the air purifier market. It is a 3-in-1 design, meaning it has a HEPA filter, pre-filter, and carbon filter in its housing.

This model is diminutive in size and is not meant to filter a large area, making it an ideal unit to clean the air in your bedroom or an office. This model does not have many luxury features, but it features an easy-to-use, no-frills design. The following are some of the specs and features of the GermGuardian AC4100.

  • 7.5 x 6.5 x 11 inches
  • UV and dioxide germ killer
  • Filter replacement reminder
  • 3-speed fan
  • 1-year factory warranty

Levoit LV-H132

This purifier model is designed to purify a 129-square-foot area, making it a great model for small- to medium-sized rooms. The Levoit LV-H132 is not the most powerful small air purifier you will find in someone’s house, but it has a lot of features other smaller units do not have.

This is an especially useful air purifier for homeowners who want to use it at night. This is for two reasons. The first is you can turn off the lights by selecting Night Mode, which offers two levels of brightness. The second is it runs quietly. Because of the options and features of the Levoit LV-H132, it is a sophisticated machine, but it is still easy to interface with. It features the following specs.

  • 22 inches tall
  • 3-speed fan
  • 2-year factory warranty
  • Soft button controls
  • Two color options
  • IQAir

If you want to experience some of the best quality in-home air purifiers have to offer, the IQAir is worth checking out. It has HyperHEPA filtration, meaning it can filter out particles sized all the way down to .003 microns. That is just about 10 times smaller than a virus!

Not only is the purifier powerful, but it can also cover a pretty big area. Covering 1,125 square feet, it is powerful enough to filter the air in a smaller house. This combined with filters that are 100 times more powerful than standard HEPA filters gives the unit a lot of bang for its buck. On top of its easy-to-use controls, here are some other specs of the IQAir purifier.

  • 16 x 15 x 28 inches
  • Triple-seal technology
  • Even flow diffuser
  • 35 pounds
  • Swiss-made

Medify MA-14

This air purifier is medical grade thanks to the H13 HEPA filter housed in the unit. H13 is the highest-rated HEPA filter and removes 99.7% of the pathogens found in the air in your home.

Compared to other purifiers with this level of power, the MA-14 is lightweight and portable. This means you can move it multiple times a day as it purifies the 470-square-foot area around it in around an hour. One of the best aspects of this purifier is its lifetime warranty, meaning it will be replaced if anything mechanical goes wrong with it that is not your fault. Here are some additional specs and features of the MA-14.

  • 12 x 8 x 8 inches
  • 4.4 pounds
  • 3-speed fan
  • Night light

Alen BreatheSmart FLEX

Do you have kids? The Alen BreatheSmart FLEX is a great model for larger families because it can purify a big area quickly. It is known to purify an entire one-bedroom apartment in just half an hour with a reach of 700 square feet. This is an impressive power rating considering the sleek design of the unit.

Installed in the Alen BreatheSmart FLEX is a HEPA Silver Filter, so you can be sure your air purifier is getting a variety of pathogens out of the air. Even at Turbo Speed, the fan uses less than 40 watts of power, making it one of the best purifiers when it comes to energy ratings. At most, it will add $1 a month to your energy bill using the following specs.

  • 19 x 16 x 28 inches
  • 21 pounds
  • 4-speed fan
  • True HEPA filter

Pure Enrichment PureZone

This is the air purifier for you if you want one you will barely notice throughout the day. The PureZone is designed with an extremely quiet fan, preventing it from becoming disrupting if it is in use while you are asleep.

Another cool feature of this effective purifier is the built-in timer. You can set the purifier to shut off in various increments of time. This prevents it from wasting energy by running when it does not have to. It is rated to purify an area of 200 square feet, making it ideal to use in a den, an office, or a bedroom.

The Pure Enrichment PureZone air purifier has the following specs and features.

  • 10.8 x 7 x 12.5 Inches
  • 5-year warranty
  • 3-stage purification
  • 3-speed fan
  • 6 pounds

Blue Pure 121

This is the air purifier for someone who enjoys both form and function. It has a sleek two-color design that will not take away from the aesthetics of a room while it is cleaning it.

Just because it looks good does not mean it does not work effectively. The Pure 121 removes 99% of the pathogens in a room, making the area healthier in a short period of time. One or two of these can purify an entire space thanks to its 700 square foot reach, along with the following specs.

  • 13 x 13 x 28.2 inches
  • 18.2 pounds
  • 3-speed fanv
  • Recyclable filters
  • 3-part filtration

Pathogens are everywhere, but that does not mean you should not do everything you can to get them out of your house. If you are considering purchasing an air purifier, call Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating in Hanover today for more information. In addition, our team offers heating and cooling repair, installation, and maintenance.

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