Health
Blog | Plumbing Heating AC Repair | Fairfax Woodbridge Manassas VA

Understanding How Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers Can Benefit a Home

10.09.2011 04:24 PM
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Air conditioning improves the air quality in your home during the summer months by cooling the air and filtering impurities, but do you ever get the feeling that your home is too stuffy or too dry? Humidifiers can help people who suffer from dry skin, itchy throat, cracked lips, or more severe problems like alleviating asthma symptoms. Dehumidifiers can help alleviate allergies and asthma caused by mold, mildew, and dust mites.

Properly maintaining humidifiers or dehumidifiers is necessary to achieve the best results. By learning how humidifiers work, you can better understand how to maintain them and ensure the highest air quality in your home.

Humidifiers
Humidifiers release steam, mist, or water vapor into the air to control humidity levels in your house. Not only can humidifiers alleviate asthma and allergy symptoms, they can also reduce static electricity in the air of your home and prevent wallpaper peeling and cracks in paint and furniture in your home.

Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers, on the other hand, remove moisture from the air by condensing air. When air is condensed against a cold surface, the amount of water which it can contain is decreased. Since the cooled air can no longer accommodate its previous moisture content, the water condenses from a vapor to a liquid and is deposited in the dehumidifier. The container which collects condensed water has to be emptied regularly or mold and mildew can grow in the container.

If you're looking to order or install a humidifier or dehumidifier, visit us at  F.H. Furr Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. We perform air conditioning, furnace, and plumbing repair and installation in the Fairfax area. Call (703) 496-5016 for more ideas on how to improve your in-home air quality.

Indoor Air Quality and Allergies: What are You Breathing In?

04.01.2011 01:25 PM
While outdoor pollutants such as smog and carbon dioxide can lead to a variety of health concerns, your furnace or A/C repair company will tell you that indoor air quality can also significantly affect your health. Are your allergy symptoms getting worse when you are inside your home? Consider the correlation between indoor air quality and allergies.
Indoor Pollutants According to the EPA, the most common indoor biological contaminants include mold, mildew, bacteria, animal dander, dust, and pollen. These contaminants are usually produced by living things and are often found in areas with water or moisture, including cooling coils, humidifiers, unvented bathrooms, and condensation pans. Upholstery such as drapery, bedding, and carpets are also ideal hiding spot for dust mites and pet dander.
Health Effects Indoor air pollutants can cause a variety of health problems, from influenza and chicken pox to more serious diseases, such as humidifier fever. The most common health problem associated with indoor air contaminants are allergies and asthma. Many biological contaminants can trigger allergic reactions, including:
  • Sneezing
  • Watery eyes
  • Coughing
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Dizziness
  • Lethargy
  • Fever
  • Digestive Problems
  • Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
  • Allergic Rhinitis
Children and elderly individuals may also be more susceptible to pulmonary disease or asthma.
Maintenance and Prevention Routine cleaning is one of the easiest ways to reduce the amount of biological contaminants in your home. This includes having your air conditioner cleaned or serviced regularly. You can change your air filter yourself, but hiring a professional plumber or air conditioner repair company will help to ensure your unit is not only working properly, but free of mildew or mold.
Your home should be your safe resting place at the end of the day, not the cause for allergic reactions and disease. Keep your home clean and mold free with an air conditioner repair company. Professionals with F.H. Furr provide the furnace, A/C repair services and plumbing services for your needs. For products, services, locations, or to schedule a consultation, visit our website today!

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Did You Know Poor Indoor Air Quality Can Cause Heart Disease? Here are Some Common Health Problems Made Worse by Indoor Pollutants

03.11.2011 12:52 PM
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According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air pollutant levels are approximately 2-5 times higher than outdoor pollutants. Indoor air pollution is caused by tobacco smoke, pollen, mold, dust and animal dander. Energy-efficient homes are designed to hold air inside to avoid heat loss in winter or heat gain in the summer, and though this is a great way to keep your monthly energy bills down, it makes it difficult for pollutants to escape. Keep your family safe by checking out this overview of the common health issues that can be exacerbated by poor indoor air quality. 
Allergies and Asthma
Secondhand smoke, dust mites, pollen and mold not only trigger seasonal allergy symptoms but can also lead to the development of allergies in young children. The most common allergy symptoms include sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, scratchy throat, coughing, and itchy or watery eyes. Indoor air pollutants can also increase your risk of chronic allergies and asthma. Reduce the chances of potentially life-threatening asthma attacks by investing in an air purifier or having your air ducts cleaned regularly by a professional furnace repair specialist. 
Respiratory Infections
Indoor air pollutants can negatively affect your respiratory health, increasing your chances of bronchitis, pneumonia and other pulmonary conditions. The immediate symptoms include headaches, fatigue and dizziness, however not all respiratory conditions will show symptoms until they require urgent medical attention. 
Heart Disease
A recent study published by the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine demonstrated the link between indoor air pollutants and cardiovascular disease. The microscopic particles in your home damage the endothelial cells that line the walls of your blood vessels. Over time, this leads to macrovascular function, oxidative stress and inflammation of blood vessels—all of which contribute to heart disease. 
If you’re seasonal allergy symptoms are getting worse when you’re inside your home, then it may be time to contact your AC repair company. Have your air ducts cleaned, your filters replaced, or purchase a new air purifier from F.H. Furr’s professional air conditioner repair specialists. 

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