Indoor Air Quality

At All Weather, our priority is helping you to improve your indoor air quality (IAQ). Without taking measures to address indoor pollution, your health could be at risk for allergies, asthma, and other chronic illnesses.

Here in the United States, we spend more time indoors than ever before in our history. This can negatively affect our health as our indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than our Washington outdoor air.

Our indoor air quality professionals are well educated and experienced in recommending effective systems for improving your home’s inside air. We continue to stay on top of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry and advancements made in this area to bring you the best at all times.

What Causes Poor Indoor Air Quality?

Indoor air quality is affected by a variety of factors and anything that releases gas or particles. Indoor environmental toxins exist in your Sammamish, WA, home’s air from various pollutants such as tobacco smoke and cleaning products, mold, and mildew growth in damp environments, poorly maintained HVAC systems, building materials, and furnishings that release chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide from fuel-burning appliances, outdoor air pollution entering indoor spaces, radon seepage, household activities like cooking and cleaning, and occupant behaviors such as smoking indoors.

All these factors can contribute to the accumulation of pollutants and contaminants in indoor environments, many of the items you bring into your home may be contributing to your air quality whether you know it or not.

Top 10 Reasons for Poor Indoor Air Quality Inside Your Washington Home

Poor ventilation: Poor ventilation can lead to a buildup of pollutants and contaminants in the air, such as carbon dioxide, VOCs, and other harmful substances.
Indoor pollutants: Common indoor pollutants include tobacco smoke, seasonal allergens, cooking fumes, cleaning products, pet dander, and building materials that release VOCs. These pollutants can accumulate and degrade indoor air quality.
Mold and mildew: Damp and humid indoor environments can lead to the organic growth of mold, fungus bacteria, and mildew, which release spores and mycotoxins that can negatively affect air quality.
Poorly maintained HVAC systems: Dirty or poorly maintained heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can circulate pollutants and contaminants throughout the indoor environment. The indoor coils of an air conditioning system must be chemically cleaned to prevent the possibility of organic growth from forming.There is an increased possibility of organic growth in the ductwork if you have a humidification system. We recommend an air purification system like the REME HALO^® to pair with a humidification system to remove the risk of mold.
Building materials and furnishings: Some building materials and furnishings, such as carpets, furniture, and paint, can release chemicals and VOCs that contribute to poor indoor air quality. Some materials in your Snoqualmie, WA, home, such as furniture, carpet, and artwork, can be off-gas for up to seven years after the product was manufactured.
Outdoor air pollution: Outdoor pollutants can enter indoor spaces through open windows, doors, and ventilation systems, contributing to poor indoor air quality.
Radon: Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep into buildings through cracks and gaps in the foundation, posing a risk to indoor air quality
Carbon monoxide: Poorly maintained or malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances, such as gas stoves and furnaces, can release carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless and odorless gas that can be harmful to health.
Household activities: Cooking, cleaning, and using certain products can release pollutants into the air, contributing to poor indoor air quality.
Occupant behavior: Smoking indoors, excessive use of candles or incense, and other behaviors can contribute to poor indoor air quality.

What Are Some Symptoms of Poor Indoor Air Quality?

Many times symptoms of poor indoor quality are mistaken as respiratory issues like colds or allergies. Common acute health reactions are flu-like symptoms, dizziness, headaches, nose bleeds, fatigue, sore throats, and upper respiratory congestion.

Continual or repeated exposure to indoor pollutants can result in more serious health conditions like heart disease, respiratory diseases, and even cancer. The most proactive stance you can take to protect your family is to improve your Sammamish, WA, home’s indoor air quality.

What All Weather Recommends

We only offer the highest quality as well as the most effective and efficient heating and cooling systems to achieve excellent indoor air quality. Our air quality professionals are well trained in installing, replacing, repairing, and maintaining many different types of systems to help improve your home’s indoor air.

Though we work with various air quality systems, the ones we recommend time after time with the greatest results are:

Air purifiers
Air purifiers attach to your existing HVAC system. They sanitize your home’s air by utilizing negative ions, ozone, heat, or ultraviolet (UV) or UVC lights such as the REME HALO^® purifier.
Air cleaners
Air cleaners attach to your existing HVAC system, requiring installation by a professional like one of our All Weather specialists. These cleaners filter the air, stopping pollutants like dust and pet dander from passing into your home for you to breathe.
Electronic air cleaners
Electronic air cleaners attach to your HVAC unit. They use electronically charged filters to decrease the airborne contaminants in your home. The electronic air cleaner traps large particles, then electronically charged filters attract and trap the smaller particles. We recommend using the Honeywell F300 or the Accuclean electronic air cleaner.
Ultraviolet (UV) lights
UV lights are installed in your HVAC unit. The air passing through the UV lamps destroys the microbes. The clean air then circulates through your Washington home where it is now safe for everyone.
Whole-house dehumidifiers
Whole-house dehumidifiers attach to your HVAC system and regulate your home’s humidity level by removing excess moisture from your Sammamish, WA, home’s air. Too much moisture breeds mold and mildew, damaging your home’s interior and sending dangerous spores into your breathing air.
Whole-house humidifiers
Whole-house humidifiers work in the opposite manner of dehumidifiers. Like the dehumidifier, these attach to your home’s HVAC system. But these systems distribute moisture into a too-dry atmosphere. A lack of moisture damages your home and can cause breathing and illness issues for you.
Ventilators
Ventilation units work in conjunction with your HVAC system. Different ventilators like energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), heat recovery ventilators (HRVs), and exhaust fans help bring essential ventilation into your home to provide fresh air.
Carbon monoxide alarms
We install carbon monoxide alarms in your home to immediately alert you in the event of a dangerous carbon monoxide leak.
Thermostats
Thermostats can help affect the condition of your air by controlling the temperature and humidity in your Snoqualmie, WA, home. Various inside temperatures activate different elements like your whole-house humidifier and whole-house dehumidifier. You can exert even more control by installing a smart thermostat and linking these other indoor air quality units to it like the Honeywell PRO8000 or the Honeywell PRO9000 thermostat.

For more information on any of these indoor air quality systems, talk with one of our All Weather professionals.

Indoor Air Quality System Installation and Replacement

Many of our IAQ systems integrate with your existing air ducts and require professional installation to ensure you get the best value from your investment.

Our installation experts at All Weather will know which systems best match your Snoqualmie, WA, home’s layout and HVAC equipment. We have two types of air quality products to choose from.

There are passive and active air filtration systems. Air filters inserted into the ductwork are considered a form of passive air filtration. Dirt, dust, and particulate matter must come to it for the filter to capture it and prevent it from redistribution.

Active air filtration is a specialty technology used to clean and purify the air by actively removing particles and contaminants. It typically involves the use of a specialty system like the REME HALO^® that actively circulates and filters the air in space to remove pollutants such as dust, pollen, pet dander, smoke, and other airborne particles.

Reducing Allergy Symptoms in Your Washington Home

Active air filtration systems often use a combination of filters and UV light combined with an ionizer to capture and neutralize contaminants in the air. For instance, in a recent installation in Snoqualmie, WA, a family reported a significant reduction in their allergy symptoms and a noticeable improvement in the freshness of their indoor air.

Overall, active air filtration is designed to improve indoor air quality by reducing harmful particles and pollutants, making the air cleaner and healthier to breathe.

An electronic air cleaner is a type of advanced air filter system that uses electrical charges to trap and remove airborne particles such as dust, pollen, pet dander, and smoke from the air. It typically consists of a series of charged plates or grids that attract and capture particles as air passes through the unit.

Electronic air cleaners are known for their high efficiency in removing pollutants from the air and are often used to improve indoor air quality in homes. We recommend the Honeywell F300 series electronic air filtration system because it can remove up to 90 percent plus particulate from the air.

The best air filtration available is the AccuClean^® electronic air cleaner. This product removes 99.98 percent of all particulates from the air. This is the only air filtration system endorsed by the Asthma Association.

Improve Your Home’s IAQ Today

At All Weather, we provide sustainable solutions that will keep you and your loved ones comfortable for years to come.

Additionally, we understand that investing in indoor air quality can be a significant financial commitment. That’s why we offer flexible financing options (subject to approved credit) to help you manage the cost.

Our team members can provide more information about these options and help you find the one that best suits your needs and budget.

Call us at 425-463-9814 or request service online for a free quote.

Indoor Air Quality System Repairs

All Weather not only installs air quality systems that can keep your home healthy and comfortable, but we repair them as well.

The maintenance requirements for air quality products in your home can vary depending on the type of product you have. For instance, air purifiers may need a cartridge replacement every two to five years of operation, but it's important to note that each manufacturer may have different maintenance interval requirements.

Humidifiers, on the other hand, may require the replacement of water filters or canisters, and the frequency of maintenance will depend on the water quality. If you have high mineral, silica, or calcium deposits you may need more frequent maintenance intervals.

If you have a UV light system installed in your ductwork, these systems have their own maintenance needs, typically requiring bulb replacements every one to two years, based on the manufacturer's specifications. It's essential to be aware of these maintenance requirements to ensure that your air quality products continue to operate effectively and efficiently.

There are things you the homeowner can be doing that have a negative impact on your indoor air quality. Not cleaning or replacing your filters at the appropriate intervals. The return air grill is the first place you should look at after your filter has been cleaned or replaced. Excessive dirt and dust buildup on the return air grill can lead to a reduction in the air volume entering the comfort system. This can result in decreased efficiency and performance of the HVAC system, potentially leading to uneven heating or cooling throughout the home or building.

Additionally, the buildup can also contribute to poor indoor air quality as the system may not be able to effectively filter and circulate the air. A reduction in airflow can cause excessive moisture to be present within the system. Most hardwood floor registers offer a similar reduction in airflow causing similar issues. Air filter and floor register selection are very important to system design and operation.

It is crucial to regularly clean and maintain grills, equipment, and ductwork to ensure optimal airflow and air quality. Additionally, selecting the appropriate floor and ceiling registers is essential for maintaining a healthy indoor environment.

No one likes to experience an interruption in HVAC service, especially when that system is helping to reduce allergy and asthma triggers in your Snoqualmie, WA, home. If you suspect there is something wrong with your indoor air quality, call our professional team for a complete diagnosis and detailed repair quote. We do what it takes to get the job done right, and we are not satisfied until you are.

Indoor Air Quality System Maintenance

Professional preventative maintenance helps avoid equipment breakdowns, and it extends the life of your HVAC system. It will also keep you compliant with your manufacturer’s warranty. Call us for regular inspections and tune-ups to keep your indoor air quality equipment running in top shape.

Ask us about our convenient and affordable maintenance agreement program, Preventative Maintenance Program. We can help you save money and take advantage of our plan’s perks.

We Recommend Installing an Air Purification System If You Have a Humidification System

High humidity can create the perfect environment for mold, fungus, mildew, and bacteria to thrive, especially in enclosed spaces that have large fish tanks and large water features. Additionally, ducted humidifiers can spread these contaminants throughout, leading to poor indoor air quality.

An air purification system can help to remove these harmful pollutants from the air, creating a healthier and more comfortable living or working environment. By filtering out airborne particles and neutralizing odors, an air purification system can help to improve respiratory health and reduce the risk of allergies and other health issues associated with poor indoor air quality. Therefore, in environments with high humidity and large water features, investing in an air purification system can be beneficial for maintaining a clean and healthy comfort system combined with the indoor environment.

In the case of large water features, fish tanks, or humidification systems in ductwork, an air purifier can be especially beneficial in controlling the excess moisture and preventing the growth of mold and bacteria.

Humidifiers can be fooled due to the accumulation of mineral deposits, water slime, mold, and bacteria within the water reservoir and the internal components of the humidifier. These deposits can build up over time, especially if the humidifier is not cleaned and maintained regularly. Water quality and water filtration will play a role in this situation. As a result, the humidifier may not function as efficiently and effectively as it should.

When a humidifier becomes foul, it can release contaminated excess moisture into the ductwork, which can lead to rusting ductwork, poor indoor air quality, and potentially cause respiratory issues or exacerbate existing health conditions. Additionally, the foul-smelling and contaminated mist can create an unpleasant and unhealthy environment within the home.

Regular cleaning and maintenance of the humidifier are essential to prevent foul ability. This includes emptying and cleaning the water reservoir, replacing filters as recommended by the manufacturer, and disinfecting the internal components to remove any buildup of mineral deposits or microbial growth. By staying on top of maintenance, the risk of foul ability can be minimized, and the humidifier can continue to provide clean, healthy moisture to the indoor air.

There are several signs that can indicate high humidity in your home or indoor environment. Some common indicators of high humidity include:

High humidistat reading: Your thermostat has a humidistat with a digital reading greater than 60 percent certain times a year.
Condensation: If you notice water droplets forming on windows, metal faucets, walls, or other surfaces, this could be a sign of high humidity.
Temperature discrepancies: If you feel a lot warmer in your home and the next home, you go to is the same temperature and you feel colder.
Musty odors: Excess moisture in the air can lead to a musty or damp smell in your home.
Mold and mildew growth: High humidity provides an ideal environment for mold and mildew to thrive, so if you notice these growths in your home, it could be a sign of elevated humidity levels.
Discomfort: High humidity can make the air feel heavy and sticky, leading to discomfort and difficulty in breathing.
Allergies and respiratory issues: Excessive moisture in the air can exacerbate allergies and respiratory problems for some individuals.
Warped wood or peeling wallpaper: High humidity can cause wood to warp and wallpaper to peel due to the excess moisture in the air.

Using a hygrometer, a device that measures humidity levels, can provide an accurate reading of the humidity in your indoor environment. If you suspect high humidity, a hygrometer can help you monitor and address the issue.

Improve the Air Inside Your Home Today

Schedule a free consultation with All Weather to evaluate the air inside your Snoqualmie, WA, home. Call us today at 425-463-9814 or request service online to learn more about our IAQ services.

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