Practical Solutions for Indoor Air Pollution in Central Pennsylvania

There’s nothing more fundamental to comfort than the air we breathe in our Red Lion, homes. 

You might think it’s all about temperature, but indoor air quality (IAQ) is a major factor in how comfortable you feel at home. 

Americans spend 90 percent of their time indoors, where the air can be five times more polluted than outdoor air, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Whether in the cold winter or hot, humid summer, your home can trap and contain all kinds of pollutants. 

At H.L. Bowman, we’re committed to helping our neighbors in Red Lion and beyond breathe easier. Our experts can guide you to the best indoor air quality solutions tailored to your family’s needs. From controlling humidity to eliminating particulate matter, we know which indoor air quality products are effective for your unique circumstances.  

We want to give you some insight into the contaminants that can dirty your indoor air and the products that can control or eliminate them. Read on for your guide to indoor air quality. 

Common Sources for Indoor Air Pollution

Indoor air pollution is a mix of contaminants that can affect your health and comfort. Here are some of the most common culprits we see in Pennsylvania homes:

• Dust, Pollen, and Pet Dander: This is a classic trio of indoor air contaminants. Dust and pet dander are present year-round, and outdoor pollen, which appears outdoors in spring through fall, can ride air currents and enter your home through open windows. You can also track it indoors on your shoes. All of them can aggravate allergies and asthma. 

• Mold and Mildew: Humid summers and damp basements create a perfect environment for mold and mildew to thrive. These biological pollutants can release spores into the air, causing respiratory issues and unpleasant, musty odors.

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): These carbon-based chemical compounds come from a variety of sources, such as household cleaners, cosmetics, and fuels.  They evaporate and become gases that circulate in the air and can cause a variety of health problems.

Solutions for Healthier Indoor Air

The good news is that you do not have to live with poor indoor air quality. The options for improving air quality range from do-it-yourself (DIY) remedies to portable devices to whole-home systems. 

Increased Ventilation: Bringing fresh air indoors is the most basic way to improve air quality. On days when outdoor air quality is good, simply opening a window for a few minutes can help. However, this is not a viable option during allergy season or when it’s too hot or cold. 

Installing a ventilator can meet any temperature challenge, bringing in fresh air and expelling stale air year-round. The device uses energy from the expelled air to pre-condition incoming air, minimizing heat or cooling losses. It also filters the incoming air.

An Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) can help reduce humidity in the summer and keep your home from becoming too dry in the winter. A Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) recovers only heated or cooled air.

Our experts at HL Bowman install and service both ventilator types and can recommend the best product for your home. 

HVAC Maintenance: Your home’s HVAC system protects indoor air from contaminants. Its air filter traps pollutants before they can travel through your heating and cooling system, dirty the equipment, and circulate in your living space.

Regular preventative maintenance, including air filter changes, keeps your air and HVAC system clean. 

Check your air filter for dirt and dust every month. Follow manufacturer guidance on replacement frequency and filter type.  

Regular dusting, mopping, and vacuuming with a HEPA filter can keep dirt in check and prevent it from circulating in your living space or through your HVAC system.

Humidity Levels: Controlling humidity can improve air quality by reducing or increasing moisture in your Red Lion, home. 

In the summer, your air conditioner dehumidifies and cools your living space, but it might need help from a whole-house dehumidifier. This device typically integrates with ductwork, preventing your home from becoming overly moist.

High humidity can encourage mold and mildew growth and create a hospitable environment for dust mites and insect infestation. 

Adding moisture can prevent dry skin, sore throats, and static electricity when the air is dry in winter. A whole-home humidifier adds moisture to the air. Moisture makes the air feel warmer and can help you keep heating costs down. 

A whole-home dehumidifier or humidifier can maintain optimal humidity levels. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends keeping indoor humidity between 30 and 50 percent. 

Cleaning the Air: Although standard air filters can eliminate some contaminants from indoor air, they cannot capture everything. For the best protection, consider upgrading or adding air quality accessories.

• High-efficiency filtration systems keep air flowing while capturing smaller particles and even pathogens that cause colds and influenza. 
• Air purifiers use a combination of filters and technology to remove contaminants. Some products zap particles with electricity, and others use charged ions to make dust, bacteria, and other pollutants clump together, making them easier to filter. 
• Ultra Violet (UV) lamps kill bacteria and mold inside your system, on its evaporative coil. 

HL Bowman Offers IAQ Product Options

At HL Bowman, we are proud to be a trusted dealer for York® and Bryant HVAC systems and indoor air quality products. These brands are leaders in home comfort, offering a wide range of solutions from high-efficiency air filters to advanced whole-home purifiers. 

For an even higher level of cleanliness, we also offer the Air Scrubber by Aerus. This innovative technology uses ActivePure Technology to reduce surface and airborne contaminants, including viruses, bacteria, and allergens.

Let H.L. Bowman Assess Your Home IAQ

Breathe easier by adding an indoor air quality product to your home comfort system. Our H.L. Bowman experts can assess the air in your Red Lion, PA, and recommend a solution. Call us at 717-287-5504 or request service online.