Indoor Air Quality: Why Is It Important?

Here in Alamo Heights, TX, we get plenty of heat and humidity, and that means mold can grow easily and allergens build up indoors because windows are closed to allow the AC to run. The answer to this problem is HVAC air scrubbers. These allow you to have fresh, clean air at all times. How HVAC Air Scrubbers Work more These devices attach to the ductwork in your home, and when the fan turns on, air gets drawn into the scrubber's chamber. Inside, a combination of ultraviolet light and a coated surface starts a reaction that changes water and oxygen molecules into active cleaners like hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyls. These cleaners then spread out into the rooms and break down bacteria, viruses, mold spores, and volatile organic compounds at the molecular level. Basic filters just trap dust, but this process actively destroys the harmful particles that are in the air as well as particles lingering on surfaces. The scrubber uses a honeycomb structure to maximize contact between the air and the reactive elements, and some models also include HEPA filters to catch larger debris before the chemical process kicks in. Best of all, the setup just runs automatically whenever your system circulates air, so you don't need a separate cleaner in every room. Understanding the Tech Ever wonder why outside air is cleaner than inside air? The sun has a lot to do with it, and that's the core tech behind these scrubbers. They use sunlight-mimicking light rays to create safe oxidizers that mimic natural outdoor cleaning processes. Once released, these oxidizers attach to pollutants and break them into harmless water and carbon dioxide. Benefits of Using Air Scrubbers The key advantage is better health through cleaner air. Scrubbers cut down on allergens like pollen and dust mites, reduce viruses and bacteria, and keep mold from growing. They also reduce odors from cooking, pets, or smoke. On top of that, having less dirt around means your HVAC equipment tends to last longer and need fewer repairs, and the efficiency improves because you need less energy to move air. Are They Worth the Investment? Scrubbers are an initial investment, and you'll also have to keep up with maintenance if you want to get all the benefits. If you forget to swap out the UV bulbs or let the filter get too full, the system won't do the job you got it to do. All that said, the benefits do really add up, and particularly if someone in your home struggles with asthma, has serious allergies, or is immunocompromised. These scrubbers get rid of up to 99% of common contaminants, which can make a huge difference to quality of life. And, over time, they make a difference in your energy bills and repair and replacement costs for the HVAC unit as a whole. Beluga Air Serves Alamo Heights, TX If you're considering a scrubber for indoor air quality improvements, want a quote or some advice, or need HVAC maintenance, contact Beluga Air in Bexar County today to learn more.

UV light is an essential component for maintaining a healthy environment. HVAC UV lights can make a huge difference to your San Antonio home. They kill bacteria and viruses before they can reach your family's lungs and control mold growth. Here's a full rundown of the benefits you can expect. The Benefits of HVAC UV Lights in San Antonio Homes Kills Bacteria more UV radiation distorts the DNA of bacteria and blocks its ability to send the protein signal that allows that bacteria to thrive. This means the bacteria eventually mutate and die. If any bacteria should manage to survive the UV light initially, the damage done to their amino acids makes it impossible for them to replicate or create the proteins they need to caused harm to us. Kills Viruses With viruses, the action is a little bit different. Again, the RNA or DNA of the virus itself is disrupted by the light, and while the virus sometimes technically remains alive, it becomes unable to infect a host cell. Tests have been done showing that UV light effectively neutralizes the viruses that cause pneumonia, E. coli, staph infections, yeast infections, and coronavirus, among many others. Destroys Mold With mold, UV light sends out high-energy photons that are absorbed by the DNA and RNA of the mold spores. This makes them unable to reproduce, so the mold eventually just dies out. To completely kill mold in one go, you have to have concentrated UV light on the pores for long enough, so the benefit of mold control with a UV light in your HVAC system is primarily that it prevents the growth of mold within the system itself, particularly the coils, pan, and ductwork, which often stay relatively moist and are otherwise prone to mold growth. Silent Protection Unlike noisy filters, UV light simply does the job without creating a lot of background noise that many people don't want in their homes. Perfectly Safe When the system is installed professionally, it's perfectly safe. The UV light is much like sunlight, but since it's all contained within the unit, there's no danger to you or your family. Technicians working on your unit should wear eye protection when the unit is open, but there's no other concern. Things to Know It's important to remember that the UV bulbs will need to be changed regularly, as they gradually lose their effectiveness. Talk with us about how often is appropriate with your unit. This can usually be done during regular servicing. It's also critical to remember that UV light doesn't affect dust and pet hair, which can be potent allergens for some people. You will still need a filter in the system to catch these types of allergens, and particularly if you have a family member with strong allergies or asthma issues. To find out what the UV light can do for you and your family, talk to us today at Beluga Air in San Antonio, TX. Our goal is to provide the best service in the city and set the standard for HVAC service.

Most of us spend the majority of our time inside homes, offices, or other enclosed spaces these days, and that means the quality of the air we breathe indoors is now a critical factor in overall health. And for no one is this more true than those who suffer from allergies and respiratory issues. The good news is that improving your indoor air quality here in San Antonio is possible, and it's effective for those with respiratory concerns. Can Improving My San Antonio Indoor Air Quality Help With Allergies and Respiratory Issues? more Some of the common pollutants that lurk in our indoor air include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from household products like paints and furniture; biological contaminants like mold spores; and allergens, which come from dust, pests, pets. Even everyday activities that we have to engage in, like cooking, can introduce fine particles and gases into the air that irritate the lungs. These pollutants can trigger immune responses in sensitive individuals, and poor indoor air quality has been linked to a range of health problems, from mild breathing difficulties all the way up to increased hospital visits. When your indoor air is laden with irritants, your body's immune system goes into overdrive producing histamines. The lungs and airways are the first line of defense against inhaled pollutants, so chronic exposure can lead to inflammation, reduced lung function, and a higher susceptibility to infections like the flu or pneumonia. Here's how to deal with it: Get Better Ventilation One of the best things you can do is just get better ventilation: open windows when outdoor air is clean or use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms. This fresh air exchange will dilute the indoor contaminants. However, if you live in a high-pollution area (like right up against a major road), you're in a building where windows can't open (like an office), or it's too hot or cold to open up (a lot of the year here!), mechanical ventilation systems with filters can achieve similar results. An HVAC system with high-efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA filters) will capture tiny particles like allergens and dust and improve life for everyone in the building. Keep Things Cleaned and Serviced Your HVAC system can do a lot, but not if it's full of dust. Regular cleanings are going to make a huge difference, but they have to be done right, without stirring up dust or driving it deeper into the system. At Beluga Air, we'll come do a careful assessment of your system, then use our advanced equipment to do a real deep clean. We don't shove dirt and dust deeper in: we remove it entirely. Then we'll sanitize your system to ensure no mold, bacteria, or their spores remain. To breathe more comfortably in your home or office, call us today at Beluga Air in San Antonio, TX. Check out our coupons section to save, and ​consider a membership with us, where you'll get your HVAC system tuned up each year along with a 10% discount, priority scheduling, two free service calls, our bio fresh ​treatment, and more.