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The Importance of Indoor Air Quality

Air Quality FAQs Highland MI

Because most of us spend more time indoors than we do outdoors, indoor air quality has become vital to contributing to our overall health and our ability to remain free of chronic disease. Many people do not realize that poor indoor ventilation can have a lasting and detrimental impact on all parts of the body, including the skin, eyes and, more importantly, the lungs.

Sources of Indoor Air Pollution

No matter how much you vacuum, dust and clean the inside of your home, the air will remain contaminated with pollutants unless some type of air purifier is installed to filter out particles, pollen, and outdoor emissions. Indoor air pollution sources include:

  • Emissions from heating devices that burn gas, wood, oil or kerosene
  • Wall insulation
  • Carpets and rugs
  • Furniture made from pressed wood
  • Pet hair/dander
  • Cat litter boxes
  • Seasonal plant mold and pollen
  • Cigarette smoke
  • Household cleaning products
  • Automobile exhaust (carbon monoxide)
  • Infectious pathogens

What Is Radon?

Emanating as an invisible gas from the decay of radium, radioactive radon may seep into homes and buildings when the structure is built on top of rocks containing radium. Every year, thousands of people are diagnosed with lung cancer as the result of unknowingly inhaling radon for decades. Testing for radon gas is the only way to detect its presence, since it is odorless, tasteless and does not cause immediately perceptible symptoms. Methods to mitigate radon usually involve professional sealing of basement and house foundations and enhancing ventilation in the home by installing a filter that prevents radon molecules from contaminating the air.

Health Problems Due to Poor Indoor Air Quality

Depending on the severity of the indoor air quality problem affecting a home or business, individuals may suffer from numerous chronic illnesses as a result of continuously inhaling toxic particulates. Common health issues stemming from poor indoor air quality include:

Asthma, a chronic inflammation of the airway tubes responsible for carrying oxygen into your lungs, makes it difficult for sufferers to breathe when these airways become irritated and swell shut. Asthma attacks are frequently triggered by pet dander, pollen, mold, house dust, smoke and airborne chemicals like carbon monoxide and radon.

High-quality air filters can prevent asthma attacks by effectively removing particulates from the air inside an enclosed building. Usually made of tightly woven strands of polyester or fiberglass, air filters are attached to cooling or heating systems in a way that allows air to pass through the filter material before entering the home. Asthmatics living in homes where the air is purified and free from irritants experience better health and reduced incidences of asthma attacks.

Seasonal or year-round dust allergies occur when the immune system reacts abnormally to foreign substances that would otherwise be harmless, such as plant mold or pollen and pet dander. An allergy attack to airborne particulates causes severe congestion, itching eyes, wheezing and a general feeling of malaise until the person suffering from the attack takes medication or finds cleaner air to breathe.

For removal of allergens from indoor air, ionizing purifiers provide a powerful alternative to air filters. Ionizing purifiers rely on two metallic plates to clean the air instead of a filter. One plate possesses a negative charge and one plate possesses a positive charge that removes atoms by “charging” them. This ionization process forces allergen atoms to adopt either a negative or positive charge. The allergens are then attracted to one of the metal plates and rapidly eliminated from indoor air.

Chronic sinusitis, dry eyes, sore throats and headaches are additional health issues related to poor indoor air quality. How ill a person feels generally depends on their age, their current health status and humidity levels in the home. The optimum humidity level is between 40 and 60 percent, with low humidity promoting bacterial and viral infections, asthma attacks and respiratory infections. High humidity (over 70 percent) exacerbates air impurities resulting from mold growth and dust mites.

Another type of exemplary filter that can alleviate these types of respiratory ailments caused by poor indoor air quality is the HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air). Found in hospitals, government laboratories, airplanes and homes, HEPA filters must fulfill specific standards put forth by the U.S. Department of Energy. Genuine HEPA filters are capable of eliminating 99.97 percent of the particulates as small as .3 microns in size.

Advantages of Cleaning Your Home With an Air Cleaner

By enhancing circulation of indoor air while simultaneously filtering harmful particulates from the air, an air cleaner will provide you and your family with many years of healthy living as well as additional benefits that extend beyond the fact that you are breathing clean, fresh air inside your home.

Benefits of having an air purifier installed in your home include:

Potentially extending your lifespan by reducing or eliminating health problems that are aggravated by consistently inhaling toxic air particulates.
Keep pets that were once causing family members to suffer allergy symptoms.
Reduce the anxiety of asthmatics who fear enduring debilitating asthma attacks.
Humidity levels remain regulated, which minimizes health issues associated with indoor air moisture rates that are too low or too high.

Installation of Air Purifiers

Quick, easy and affordable, home air-cleaning systems not only represent an investment in you and your family’s long-term health but also contribute to your home’s long-term property value. Potential home buyers are attracted to houses containing air cleaners because they know that homeowner is someone who has taken the time to make sure the overall quality of the home remains exceptionally healthy and clean for everyone residing there.

Maintenance of a home air-purifying system after installation is minimal, involving replacement of the filter every 12 to 16 months. If members of the household suffer from chronic respiratory diseases, filter replacement may need initiated more frequently than normal. Customers purchasing an air-cleaning system for their home can direct any questions or concerns to our company representatives who will be glad to assist you in any way possible with your new air-cleaning system.

Contact Us Today

For clean indoor air that will keep your family healthy and happy, look to Matheson Heating • Air • Plumbing. Call our indoor air quality experts at (248) 277-5762 or submit our online form to get started.

Testimonials

Just had our AC checked today and all was well. We use Matheson exclusively on their program to handle our AC and heating along with our whole house standby power supply. We have been on their program since 2006, when we first moved into our new home. There were customers our our when we owned a Dairy Queen and got to know them. They were our first choice for our new home.

Sanford A.

Top notch work. I've had them do a number of projects for me and the service has always been great and the pricing is fair.

Tim D.

New furnace, New AC and new hot water tank installed 2 days ago with no issues. The crew was very curtious and professional. Have used Matheson for years on projects.

John P.

I rarely write reviews, but I believe in giving credit where credit is due - Matheson installed a new water softener, central air for our first floor, and two ductless heads and outside unit for two bedrooms upstairs for more efficient cooling. Everything was handled professionally and promptly from out first interaction with Chris, our sales agent, to Scott and his installation crew. Chris did an excellent job of handling all my questions pre and post installation, and I never felt like he was trying to up sell us, but merely advise on what we truly needed. When our furnace finally goes, I'll definitely be calling Chris again to bring Matheson back into our home!

Chris A.

Matheson replaced my furnace today, and I can't say enough about their professionalism and customer service. There were some unforeseen challenges, but they handled everything that came up and, as promised, stuck with the quoted price. I heartily recommend them.

Cathy S.

I have dealt with Matheson since 1983 and have always been very happy with their work. I recently had an issue with work they were supposed to do and when I followed up, they went out of their way to make up for the issue and exceeded my expectations for Customer Satisfaction. Thank you.

Joe K.

Matheson Heating and Cooling was excellent! They really did a through job! I called them at 11:00pm at night and someone actually answered. The Tech called me in 15 min and was at my house by 11:30 PM. Fixed my problem and even help solve a few other issues. The Tech was very knowledgeable and helpful! I will be calling them next time I have an issue. Thank You Matheson!

Roy M.

I had met with Chris the salesmen who was very knowledgeable. After speaking with him I knew I didn't need to see any other quotes. He knew I had no furnace and small children. He was able to have my furnace installed the next morning. He sent Eddie and Jake to do the installation and they were fantastic. I have dogs which they were not concerned abt me leaving them inside with them. They were quick, efficient, and very professional. I will and already have recommended them to friends and family. They finished up and called to see how they should leave my baby gate, my dog and my front door! I love the work they performed and my pooches even loved them! Highly highly recommended!!!!

Teresa H.

Matheson Heating has maintained our home's heating and cooling systems since our home was new 22 years ago. They replaced our two gas furnaces in 2007, and our two air conditioning systems this summer. They are a top-notch firm. The employees are excellent to work with: sales, repair, installation, follow-up. SUPER in every way. I highly recommend them for any work you may need to have done.

Doug W.

Rich and Rico did an amazing job! Very professional and efficient with the work they did. I will continue to use them for future uses and will recommend them to friends and family! Cherie in the office is a pleasure to talk to on the phone and is very sweet and professional! I called for an estimate and 45 minutes to an he or so I got a call from Rich saying they were on their way! If I could give them 10 stars I would do so ! Call Cherie she is very helpful and does a great job getting your needs satisfied by getting a hold of the technicians! 10 star company!!!!

Christine O.