Archive for the ‘Indoor Air Quality’ Category

Why Duct Cleaning Makes a Huge Difference for Your Indoor Air Quality

Monday, January 8th, 2024

The air you breathe is more important than just about anything in your home. Right now, there’s a lot of particulate matter floating around in your home, and we know that because the average US home has about 4-9x more pollutants in their home’s indoor air than the air right outside their homes.

It’s one of the reasons we offer duct cleaning in Pasco County, FL–because we know just how important it is to your overall indoor air quality. Let’s talk about just what’s coming out of those vents.

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3 Main Benefits of Installing an Air Purifier in Your Home

Monday, December 25th, 2023
woman-blows-nose-in-kleenex

With the holiday season almost wrapped up, it’s time to start thinking about goals for the New Year. Common New Year’s resolutions include goals geared toward increasing healthy habits. Why not make a resolution to increase your home’s air quality next year?

Increasing your indoor air quality (IAQ) results in many health benefits. From snoring less to sleeping more, to decreasing allergy symptoms and reducing the chances of catching colds and flu, let’s go over 3 main benefits of installing a whole house air purifier in your home or investment property

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The Difference That Clean Air Makes

Monday, October 18th, 2021

comfortable-womanLet us be blunt. Clean air is going to be a lot better for your home comfort and your HVAC system usage. Unfortunately, the modern home tends to have pretty poor air quality.

Living in Clearwater and the surrounding areas means that you are battling with heat and humidity on a somewhat regular basis. A great way to ensure that you get better comfort in your house is to try to improve your indoor air quality. That is something that our team can help with.

Let us give you some extra information on why getting cleaner air is so important and how we can help you achieve that goal.

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How to Check Your Ducts for Leaks

Monday, April 5th, 2021

Locating and sealing off leaks in the ductwork is vital if you want to enjoy proper heating and cooling. Plus, ductwork full of leaks will result in higher utility bills and dust build-up inside your home.

Here are a few ways on how to check ducts for leaks:

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How an IAQ System Helps Your Comfort

Monday, January 11th, 2021

relaxed-professional-womanKeeping your home comfortable requires more than just the right temperature setting on your thermostat—it also requires good air quality. Air that is too dirty or humid can’t cool down well. Likewise, air that is overly dry (not really a problem around here, we know) is hard to heat up.

We have a question for you: How is the air quality inside your home? IF you aren’t sure whether it is where it needs to be, we’d like to offer a helping hand. We are a Tampa HVAC company that can assess the air in your home and pair you with a great IAQ system to address the biggest comfort hindrances you have. Discover more about our IAQ system options below and reach out to us when you want to clear the air in your home.

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Is the Air in Your Home Dirty?

Monday, July 27th, 2020

The air in your home needs to be clean and clear of dirt and debris to keep your home comfort where it needs to be. Dirty air is going to impact your ability to keep cool, not to mention how icky it can feel to be in a house filled with airborne debris. This can be easier said than done though—how are you supposed to clean the air in your home? You can’t exactly use a dust rag or a vacuum.

We are happy to say that the team at Bayonet Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning has more than one solution for you. The indoor air quality systems and services we provide are going to keep that airborne debris out of your ducts and your home too.

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Perhaps It’s Time to Get Those Ducts Clean

Monday, October 7th, 2019

Alright, be honest here: how often do you think about your ducts?

Our guess is that it’s probably not that often. But, not to worry! Many homeowners don’t think about their ducts simply because they’re well-hidden from sight! So, take this as your reminder to think about your ducts!

You see, it could do you well to think about your ducts every once in a while, simply because any issues with your ductwork can directly affect your air conditioner. One issue, in particular, is dirty ducts, which is why it is so important to schedule regular duct cleaning services.

Below, we’ve explained how ducts get dirty in the first place and have listed the benefits of scheduling duct cleaning services. All you’ve got to do is keep reading to find out more! So, what are you waiting for?

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Is Your Ductwork Setting Your Comfort Back?

Monday, December 4th, 2017

duct-interiorLiving in Flordia pretty much demands the use of a whole-house cooling system. Central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps make up a large majority of those cooling systems being used in homes, and they share one thing in common: the utilization of ductwork in order to disperse cooled air throughout the house. if the ductwork that this system uses is not in great working condition, then you really cannot expect great comfort to follow.

Unfortunately, many homeowners that have problems with air ducts are not even aware that there is a problem, to begin with. Your air ducts are largely hidden from view, after all, so it really pays to learn some general warning signs that your ducts are not in the great shape that they should be. that way, you can have any problems resolved before you really start paying the price. Here are some tips for recognizing the need for ductwork services in Brooksville, FL.

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3 Ways to Improve the Indoor Air Quality in Your Home

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2014

The air quality in your home is put to the test against environmental impurities every day. Like it or not, pollutants such as dust, mold, cigarette smoke, radon, and – especially in Tampa – pollen are going to make their way into your home in a variety of ways. Visitors, pets, or even a new mattress can track them in, or your outside unit can unintentionally draw them in.

Children, the elderly, and asthma sufferers may be more sensitive to poor air quality; however, breathing impure air is dangerous for anyone who is continuously exposed. The good news is you can help minimize the risk of serious health problems by being mindful of these steps to keep your home free of pollutants and toxins:

  1. Keep your floors free of dirt and dust. Regularly vacuuming or mopping your floors will reduce the risk of chemicals and allergens taking up permanent residence in your home. Routine cleaning of your entire home is the best way to ensure pollutants will not linger.
  1. Consistently change your home’s HVAC filters per the manufacturer or your HVAC professional’s instructions. At Bayonet, we always recommend writing the date you replace them on the cardboard edge so you will know for certain the last time you swapped them out. Most store-bought one-inch filters should be changed monthly. Whole-house units, installed at the air handler, can be changed twice a year.
  1. Periodically ventilate your home. Most home heating and cooling systems do not bring in clean outdoor air and should not be relied on to keep your home’s air purified. Periodically opening windows, doors, and vents will bring in outdoor air and help to push unclean air out.

Monitoring your home’s air isn’t always the easiest task to remember. But for the sake of your family’s safety and wellness, it needs to be done. Contact Bayonet today to find out how we can help!

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Ozone as an Air Cleaner? Definitely NOT!

Tuesday, March 26th, 2013

Education makes sense. With spring in the air, people begin to suffer from allergies. Thanks to the internet, there is a plethora of misinformation and false claims about products. Bayonet is proud to offer Lennox’s Healthy Climate line of air cleaners. NONE of the Healthy Climate Products produce ANY OZONE as a byproduct. Most electronic air cleaners emit some ozone.  Mention this blog to take $50 off the installation of an OZONE FREE whole home filter when installed before 1 May 2013.

If you’re considering an indoor air quality solution, read on to learn more about Ozone and why it shouldn’t be your option!

From http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html:

Ozone generators that are sold as air cleaners intentionally produce the gas ozone. Often the vendors of ozone generators make statements and distribute material that lead the public to believe that these devices are always safe and effective in controlling indoor air pollution. For almost a century, health professionals have refuted these claims (Sawyer, et. al 1913; Salls, 1927; Boeniger, 1995; American Lung Association, 1997; Al-Ahmady, 1997). The purpose of this document is to provide accurate information regarding the use of ozone-generating devices in indoor occupied spaces. This information is based on the most credible scientific evidence currently available.

Some vendors suggest that these devices have been approved by the federal government for use in occupied spaces. To the contrary, NO agency of the federal government has approved these devices for use in occupied spaces. Because of these claims, and because ozone can cause health problems at high concentrations, several federal government agencies have worked in consultation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to produce this public information document.

What is Ozone?

Ozone is a molecule composed of three atoms of oxygen. Two atoms of oxygen form the basic oxygen molecule–the oxygen we breathe that is essential to life. The third oxygen atom can detach from the ozone molecule, and re-attach to molecules of other substances, thereby altering their chemical composition. It is this ability to react with other substances that forms the basis of manufacturers’ claims.

How is Ozone Harmful?

The same chemical properties that allow high concentrations of ozone to react with organic material outside the body give it the ability to react with similar organic material that makes up the body, and potentially cause harmful health consequences. When inhaled, ozone can damage the lungs. Relatively low amounts can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, and, throat irritation. Ozone may also worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and compromise the ability of the body to fight respiratory infections. People vary widely in their susceptibility to ozone. Healthy people, as well as those with respiratory difficulty, can experience breathing problems when exposed to ozone. Exercise during exposure to ozone causes a greater amount of ozone to be inhaled, and increases the risk of harmful respiratory effects. Recovery from the harmful effects can occur following short-term exposure to low levels of ozone, but health effects may become more damaging and recovery less certain at higher levels or from longer exposures (US EPA, 1996a, 1996b).

Is There Such a Thing as “Good Ozone” and “Bad Ozone”?

The phrase “good up high – bad nearby” has been used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make the distinction between ozone in the upper and lower atmosphere. Ozone in the upper atmosphere–referred to as “stratospheric ozone”–helps filter out damaging ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Though ozone in the stratosphere is protective, ozone in the atmosphere – which is the air we breathe – can be harmful to the respiratory system. Harmful levels of ozone can be produced by the interaction of sunlight with certain chemicals emitted to the environment (e.g., automobile emissions and chemical emissions of industrial plants). These harmful concentrations of ozone in the atmosphere are often accompanied by high concentrations of other pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide, fine particles, and hydrocarbons. Whether pure or mixed with other chemicals, ozone can be harmful to health.

Are Ozone Generators Effective in Controlling Indoor Air Pollution?

Available scientific evidence shows that at concentrations that do not exceed public health standards, ozone has little potential to remove indoor air contaminants.

There is evidence to show that at concentrations that do not exceed public health standards, ozone is not effective at removing many odor-causing chemicals.

If used at concentrations that do not exceed public health standards, ozone applied to indoor air does not effectively remove viruses, bacteria, mold, or other biological pollutants.

If I Follow Manufacturers’ Directions, Can I be Harmed?

Results of some controlled studies show that concentrations of ozone considerably higher than these standards are possible even when a user follows the manufacturer’s operating instructions.

There are many brands and models of ozone generators on the market. They vary in the amount of ozone they can produce. In many circumstances, the use of an ozone generator may not result in ozone concentrations that exceed public health standards. But many factors affect the indoor concentration of ozone so that under some conditions ozone concentrations may exceed public health standards.

Ozone can adversely affect indoor plants, and damage materials such as rubber, electrical wire coatings, and fabrics and art work containing susceptible dyes and pigments (U.S. EPA, 1996a).

What Other Methods Can Be Used to Control Indoor Air Pollution?

The three most common approaches to reducing indoor air pollution, in order of effectiveness, are:

  1. Source Control: Eliminate or control the sources of pollution;
  2. Ventilation: Dilute and exhaust pollutants through outdoor air ventilation, and
  3. Air Cleaning: Remove pollutants through proven air cleaning methods.

Conclusions

Whether in its pure form or mixed with other chemicals, ozone can be harmful to health.

When inhaled, ozone can damage the lungs. Relatively low amounts of ozone can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and, throat irritation. It may also worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma as well as compromise the ability of the body to fight respiratory infections.

Some studies show that ozone concentrations produced by ozone generators can exceed health standards even when one follows manufacturer’s instructions.

Many factors affect ozone concentrations including the amount of ozone produced by the machine(s), the size of the indoor space, the amount of material in the room with which ozone reacts, the outdoor ozone concentration, and the amount of ventilation. These factors make it difficult to control the ozone concentration in all circumstances.

Available scientific evidence shows that, at concentrations that do not exceed public health standards, ozone is generally ineffective in controlling indoor air pollution.

The concentration of ozone would have to greatly exceed health standards to be effective in removing most indoor air contaminants. In the process of reacting with chemicals indoors, ozone can produce other chemicals that themselves can be irritating and corrosive.

Resources:

See www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html 

See www.epa.gov/iaq/aircleaners/index.html

Publications

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