Indoor Air Quality

Poor Indoor Air Quality Can Threaten Your Health

Most people spend over 90% of their time indoors, not knowing that the air they are breathing may be more polluted than the air outside. The Environmental Protection Agency has reported that indoor air pollution levels can be 100 times higher than the air outdoors.

Breathing contaminated air puts the health of you and your family at risk. In fact, the American College of Allergist says that 50% of illnesses are caused or aggravated by polluted indoor air. So take control of your indoor air quality by reducing pollutants that can contribute to headache, lung irritation and fatigue as well as more long-term conditions such as asthma, allergies and infectious diseases.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY FACTS

People spend 75-90% of their time indoors.

Exposure to airborne contamination is considerable.

50% of all major office buildings have contaminated heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC). If not properly maintained, they are a hotbed for growth of molds and bacteria.

Each person inhales over 3,500 gallons of air each day. Children inhale more particles for their size then adolescents or adults.

Polluted air causes 94% of all respiratory problems.

More than 31 million Americans have been diagnosed with asthma, about 1/3 are children under 18.

About 40,000 dust mites, a common household allergen, can live in one ounce of dust.

An estimated 10-15% of the entire population may be allergic to cat or dog dander.

A person sheds up to 700,000 skin flakes per day.

3 TYPES OF INDOOR POLLUTANTS

1. Particulate

Particulates are tiny particles suspended in the air. Common particulates include residential pollen, dust mites, dust, smoke and dander (skin flakes). Particulate diameters are measured in microns and range from .001 to 1,000 microns. These dimensions represent the continuum from a few molecules up to the size where particles can no longer be airborne. Particulates are removed from the air by filtration. Air filters differ in effectiveness as they can trap different size particulates.

2. Microbials

These are bacteria, germs, viruses, fungi, spores and mold. Although bacteria are small in size and usually microscopic, they have an amazing ability to do horrible damage to all living organisms including humans. Many everyday illnesses are also caused by viruses like the common cold or the flu. Microbials are living organizations that must be killed.

3. Gases

Indoor odors and gases, such as benzene, formaldehyde, chloroform, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, etc., are released from furniture, cabinets, carpets, cleaning chemicals, copy machines, insulation, insect sprays, hair sprays, etc.

Air Purification

Did you know that Indoor air pollution has been described by the EPA and Congress as America’s #1 environmental health problem?

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Thermostats

We are experienced with a complete line of digital thermostats, programmable thermostats and comfort controls to meet your needs.

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Zoned Comfort Control

Zoned heating and air conditioning systems allow you to control the temperature of each room individually.

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Coil Cleaning

When a coil becomes fouled with dirt and grime, it cannot provide adequate or designed heat transfer causing higher discharge pressures.

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UV Lights

Ultraviolet Air Treatment Systems zap mold spores and airborne bacteria passing by the lamp to prevent them from being re-circulated into your home's air.

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American Standard Air Purification

American Standard AccuClean™—the most effective air filtration system in the nation, period. It can clean up to an astonishing 99.98% of allergens from the filtered air that your family breathes, so everyone will feel more comfortable, no matter what the season.

Just think: With AccuClean, the majority of irritating particles like dust, pollen, pet hair and dander, dust mites, mildew, lint, fungus, most tobacco smoke, cooking grease, even bacteria, will be removed from the filtered air.

What's more, our revolutionary technology can trap allergens down to .3 microns in size. Particles like dust, soot, mold spores and bacteria are often .3 microns—so small that 11,759 of them could fit on the period at the end of this sentence.

It's also the size at which allergens can get deep into your lungs because they aren't filtered well by your nose and throat. AccuClean removes tiny particles like these, effectively reducing the potential triggers for asthma and allergy attacks. <-- Go Back

Thermostats

Ferrugia Mechanical is experienced with a complete line of digital thermostats, programmable thermostats and comfort controls to meet your needs. Programmable thermostats and comfort controls are designed to maximize the performance of heating and air conditioning systems with reliable, accurate temperature control. They’re remarkably easy to use, and they’re also easy on the eye. With an attractive, streamlined design, our thermostats will fit beautifully into any home’s décor. Let us help you select the model that’s right for your system and your lifestyle. <-- Go Back

Zoned Comfort Control

WHAT IS A ZONED AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM?

Zoned heating and air conditioning systems allow you to control the temperature of each room individually. By using a series of motorized dampers and thermostats that work independently, zoning can eliminate hot or cold rooms found in almost every home, while cutting energy by up to 25 percent, according to industry sources.

BENEFITS OF ZONED AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS

Increased Comfort - No more rooms that are too hot or too cold Energy-Efficiency - Heat or cool only the areas you want, allowing you to save energy Increased Control - Control heating and cooling comfort where you want it, when you want it.

HOW DO ZONED AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS WORK?

Zone controlled systems divide a home into areas with common heating and cooling needs. Air flow is controlled in each area by a separate thermostat. Then, instead of sending the same amount of heated or cooled air into all room every time the furnace or air conditioner is turned on, the system sends conditioned air only to the zones that need it. With zoning, you can cool or heat one area of the house at a time. <-- Go Back

Coil Cleaning

DIRTY COILS INCREASE OPERATING COST

When a coil becomes fouled with dirt and grime, it cannot provide adequate or designed heat transfer causing higher discharge pressures. The higher discharge pressure requires more electricity… thereby, increasing the costs for operating the equipment. The energy consumption of equipment operating with dirty coils can be as much as 37% more than that used by equipment with clean coils.

DIRTY COILS REDUCE COOLING

As the dirt and grime collect on the coils it restricts heat transfer causing the compressor to work harder. This adds more heat to the system and raises the head pressure as much as 75%. Higher head pressure can result in a loss of up to 30% of the system’s cooling capacity. This loss will be most noticeable on the HOTTEST DAYS when cooling is needed the most!

DIRTY COILS SHORTEN EQUIPMENT LIFE

Higher operating pressures and temperatures caused by dirty coils can reduce the equipment's life expectancy. The elevated system pressure and temperature can lead to the breakdown of the compressor's lubricant. In addition acid formation can occur, leading to an acid burnout. Lubricant breakdown and acid formation will seriously comprise the compressor and ultimately lead to equipment failure. Compressor failure means NO COOLING. No cooling means no comfort. And, a compressor replacement means a costly repair.

DIRTY INDOOR COILS AFFECT AIR QUALITY

The evaporator, or inside coil, presents major concerns that go beyond the issues already discussed. A fouled and dirty evaporator coil creates a breeding ground for bacteria and mold that can impact the indoor air quality. Cleaning, protecting the coil and preventing bacteria growth on the evaporator coil and surrounding areas is critical. Specific cleaners and products will be required for these applications.
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UV Lights

Ultraviolet (UV) Air Treatment Systems zap mold spores and certain live, airborne bacteria passing by the lamp to prevent them from being re-circulated into your home's air. The shortwave lights, similar to those used in hospitals, laboratories and commercial kitchens, are easy to add to your existing heating and cooling system. Plus, the long-life lamps are easy to replace when needed.

UV Air Treatment System can kill up to 87% of certain airborne bacteria in the air passing through your heating/cooling system, reducing the presence of these harmful agents in the air your family breathes. UV Lights helps destroy bacteria, viruses, mold, and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). <-- Go Back