The expert cooling technicians at Modern Air & Water have been providing trusted AC repair and installation services in the Edmonton area for over 40 years. In today’s blog, we’ll explore how a new air conditioner doesn’t just improve efficiency and comfort, it also greatly impacts your indoor air quality!
Looking for ways to improve home comfort and the health of you and your family? There’s one upgrade you might not have considered, a new air conditioner. Modern AC units are designed to not just cool your home, but also dramatically improve indoor air quality. With features such as advanced filtration systems, a new AC can help you create a fresher, cleaner environment.
Read on to learn how a new cooling system installation can transform the air you breathe daily.
Understanding Indoor Air Quality
Did you know that the air inside your home can be even more polluted than the air outside? Let’s go over the common culprits of decreased air quality, their causes and how they’re silently affecting your health.
Common Indoor Air Pollutants in Edmonton
Pollen – We’re all too familiar with the increased amounts of pollen circulating around Edmonton streets come summer time. And while we’re thankful for the gorgeous colours of our plant friends, this unfortunate byproduct can easily infiltrate our homes and heavily affect our indoor air quality.
Smoke – Summer is also unfortunately wildfire season. And with fire, comes smoke. When we keep our windows open during the day, smoke can easily travel inside and cause severe health risks.
Mold Spores – High humidity and warm temperatures can encourage the growth of mold in your home, especially in areas like your bathroom or your basement, triggering allergies and even serious respiratory issues.
Pet Dander, Dust & Allergens – Pets tend to shed more in the summer months leading to increased levels of dander that can easily build up and circulate within your home, aggravating allergy symptoms.
Sources Of Indoor Air Pollution
Common sources of indoor air pollution include:
Old HVAC Systems – Aging heating and AC units can easily become significant sources of indoor air pollution. Older units don’t filter air as effectively, leading to an accumulation of dust, mold and other particulates. And if your older HVAC unit is poorly maintained, it can also become a breeding ground for bacteria, which can also be circulated throughout your home.
Building Materials & Furniture – Various building materials and even furniture can emit harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde which can be found in pressed wood products, adhesives, upholstery and even carpets. As these materials age or heat up due to increased sun exposure the rate of chemical emissions increase, polluting your air.
Chemicals – Decreased air quality due to chemicals is a common summer issue due to increased use of products like paints, stains and various cleaning products. These chemicals can cause irritations, headaches and other side effects.
How Your Old AC Unit Could Be Affecting Your Indoor Air Quality
Inefficient Filtration
Older air conditioners often have less effective filtration systems that struggle to trap and remove pollutants from the air.
Mold & Mildew Growth
As your AC ages, it can develop leaks in its ductwork or fail to properly humidify the air, creating a moist environment where mold and mildew thrives. These pollutants decrease indoor air quality, cause musty odours and significantly impact your health.
Increased Energy Consumption & Emissions
Older AC’s are generally less energy efficient, leading to longer running times and higher energy consumption. This not only results in higher energy bills, but also an increased accumulation of dust, debris and pollutants due to insufficient air exchange.
Circulation Of Contaminants
Dirty air filters and coils can cause poor air circulation in your home, leaving contaminants suspended in your air, significantly reducing quality.
The Benefits of A New AC To Improve Indoor Air Quality
Advanced Filtration Systems
Modern AC units often come equipped with HEPA filters capable of trapping fine particles of pollutants including pollen, dander, dust mites and smoke. HEPA filters are particularly beneficial for people prone to respiratory issues or allergies.
Improved Humidity Control
Newer AC models are better at controlling and regulating humidity levels, which is crucial for maintaining and even improving your indoor air quality, reducing the potential for mold growth.
Enhanced Air Circulation
Today’s AC units also provide more efficient and effective air circulation than their predecessors. This ensures as many contaminants as possible are filtered out and your air doesn’t become stagnant. This is achieved through continuous improvements on fan and motor design, and air distribution which help maintain consistent air quality throughout your space.
Smart Features
Smart features don’t only enhance convenience and ease of use, some can actually monitor and manage your indoor air quality. These systems include sensors that detect the presence of pollutants, excessive humidity and poor air quality. They can automatically adjust cooling settings to increase circulation without you even having to be in the room, due to their smartphone connectivity and app integrations.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficient AC units play a big role in improving indoor air quality. These systems use less energy to operate, lowering their impact on the environment and utility costs. The temperature and circulation consistency they provide also prevents the overgrowth of mold, dust and allergens, and ensures filters and other components continue to run optimally.
The Benefits Of Improved Air Quality
Improved air quality has numerous benefits, especially on your health and comfort, including:
- Enhanced respiratory health
- Reduced allergy and asthma triggers
- Reduced risk of airborne diseases
- Improved sleep quality
- Increased comfort and well-being.
Considerations When Upgrading Your Air Conditioner
Here are some factors to keep in mind when upgrading your AC unit to ensure optimal indoor air quality and efficiency.
Proper Sizing
Choosing the right size AC for your home is crucial. A unit that is too large will cycle on and off more frequently, reducing it’s ability to regulate humidity levels. And a unit that is too small will struggle to effectively cool your space, reducing comfort.
The cooling technicians at Modern Air & Water can provide expert guidance and advice on selecting the right AC for your home based on square footage, ceiling height, window size and location, and more!
Professional Installation
Proper installation is key to your AC unit’s performance and longevity. Improper installation can lead to short cycling and increased wear and tear.
Our team of experienced installers will ensure your AC is installed correctly, from duct work inspections and unit placement, to optimal refrigerant levels and electrical connections, we’ve got you covered!
Regular Maintenance to Improve Indoor Air Quality
The key to your AC running its absolute best and maintaining your indoor air quality, no matter the age of your unit, is scheduling annual maintenance from Modern Air & Water. We provide trusted and comprehensive AC tune-up services, designed to ensure efficiency and reliability all season long! You’ll get:
- Thorough inspection of your AC unit and all it’s components.
- Tighten and test all electrical connections.
- Top of refrigerant levels.
- Cleaning of Outdoor Condenser
We also provide customizable membership plans that provide you with regular scheduled inspections and tune-ups to keep your equipment in top shape, and catch potential failures before they happen. When you sign up for our ModernCare Membership you can rest assured we’re always with you.
Additional Air Quality Solutions & Add Ons
Even with a brand new AC, some home’s may have additional requirements and challenges when it comes to maintaining indoor air quality.
Add ons such as air purifiers and dehumidifiers work with your cooling system to help increase your comfort.
Upgrading your home’s cooling system can greatly impact your indoor air quality, offering numerous health and comfort benefits. From advanced filtration systems, to smart features and energy efficiency, breathe easier with a new AC from the experts at Modern Air & Water.
We’re the Edmonton AC installation experts, we have over 40 years of experience and come to you in fully stocked service trucks with industry leading tools and equipment, ready to complete any job big or small. Give us a call and improve your indoor air quality and home comfort today!
