ACU Air

Heating and Air Conditioning

(281) 419-8752 (936) 273-2218

No matter the season, we keep you comfortable

Serving Conroe, FM 1960, Magnolia, Montgomery, Spring, The Woodlands, Tomball, and Willis

Indoor Air Quality

Unlike outdoor air, indoor air is recycled again and again. This causes it to trap and build up pollutants. Common pollutants include dust, mold and spores, pollen, pet dander and smoke. EPA studies indicate that indoor levels of many air pollutants are two to five times higher than air pollutant levels outdoors.

Air Pollution in the Greater Houston Area

According to statistics gathered by the National Resource Defense Council, Houston ranked fifteenth (out of 239 U.S. cities) for "premature deaths attributable to particulate air pollution." While pollution levels in North Harris and Montgomery County are certainly lower than those in central Houston, our proximity to Houston is cause for concern. If we can't personally control the quality of our outdoor air, we can control the air quality inside our homes and busineses.

Sick Building Syndrome

"Over the past several decades, our exposure to indoor air pollutants has increased due to the construction of more tightly sealed buildings, reduced ventiilation rates to save energy, the use of synthetic building materials and furnishings, and the use of chemically formulated personal care products, pesticides, and household cleaners." (EPA's Air Quality Home Page). The high incidence of indoor air pollution has introduced a new term into the English language: Sick Building Syndrome. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, sinus congestion, itchy or watery eyes scratchy throats nausea lethargy, and an inability to concentrate. Sick building syndrome can lead to repiratory infections and can aggravate symptoms associated with allergies and asthma.

The effects of indoor air pollution can be costly in the work place. Sick building syndrome may negatively impact the performance of employees and may lead to increased absenteeism. It has been estimated that contaminated air results in medical costs of about $1 billion dollars a year and costs employers approximately $60 billion a year in employee sick leave and lost production.

Filtering the Air in Your Home or Your Place of Business

The average home produces forty pounds of dust per year for every 1,500 square feet of living space. Standard cardboard frame filters are only about 15% effective in removing dust and particles from the air. They have little or no effect on pollen, micro-organisms, smoke or other similar pollutants. Electrostatic filters do a slightly better job; they are 20% effective in removing dust and particles from the air, provided that they are rinsed off once a month. Because they can be cleaned and reused, they are more economical than disposable filters.

The same airborne particles which impact human respiratory health also may also damage home entertainment centers and computer equipment and can compromise air conditioning equipment by forcing it to work harder, thereby reducing its efficiency and possibly shortening its lifespan. A mechanical air cleaner can pay for itself by increasing energy efficiency and prolonging the life of your cooling system. Mechanical air cleaners are 80% to 95% effective in removing the airborne pollutants, including the smaller pollutants which readily pass through standard cardboard and electrostatic filters. These pollutants include bacteria, dust mites, mildew, lint, fungus, smoke, cooking grease, bacteria and even some viruses. A mechanical air cleaner consists of a case and a HEPA filter. The HEPA filter should be replaced once a year. If the HEPA filter is not replaced, it will eventually become so clogged that it will restrict air flow to your air conditioning system and the system will not be able to effectively cool your home or place of business.

If you really want to go to war against airborne pollutants in your home, your most powerful weapon may be Trane's CleanEffects. Its patented, state-of-the-art technology is 99.98% effective in removing airborne allergens.

Carbon Monoxide - The Silent Killer

If your home uses a gas fueled furnace or gas powered appliances, they must be properly maintained to prevent the release of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning in the United States. Because it is colorless, odorless, and tasteless and is virtually impossible for the human senses to detect, it is sometimes called "The Silent Killer." Most accidental carbon monoxide poisonings occur from house fires, malfunctioning home-heating systems and hot-water heaters. Common symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and fatigue.

To reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning inside your home or place of business, have your gas furnace serviced annually by a licensed technician. An annual check-up should include a thorough inspection of the heat exchanger for cracks, holes, and leaks which can release carbon monixide into the air. While proper maintenance of your gas powered furnace and appliances is your best safeguard against carbon monoxide poisoning inside your home or place of business, you may wish to invest, as well, in a carbon monoxide detector. If you use a detector, be aware that carbon monoxide weighs less than oxygen and can be present in the upper part of a room (close to the ceiling) long before a detector placed on the floor will detect it.

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