Indoor Air Quality Services in Georgetown, IN & the Surroundings

Indoor air quality refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, and poor quality can be caused by pollution from sources like secondhand smoke, mold, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds. It can lead to health issues, including respiratory problems, headaches, and fatigue, and can be improved by increasing ventilation, controlling humidity, and removing pollutants. Common causes of poor air quality include pollution sources, inadequate ventilation, high temperatures and humidity levels, and building characteristics and activities such as cleaning products and construction materials.

Rick's Repair Heating & Cooling provides indoor air quality services in the New Albany, Jeffersonville, Sellersburg, Floyds Knobs, Corydon, and Clarksville areas of Indiana. Indoor air quality remediation involves steps like source control, ventilation, filtration, and humidity management. Our team can test for contaminants such as mold, radon, and asbestos.

We can improve the quality of indoor air with the following:

UV lights - UV lights, specifically UV-C germicidal lamps, improve indoor air quality by killing bacteria, viruses, mold, and other microorganisms that pass through the UV light, often installed in an HVAC system's air handler or ductwork. While UV lights effectively sanitize surfaces like AC coils and can reduce airborne contaminants, they are most effective when properly installed and are not a complete replacement for other air quality measures like filtration and ventilation.

Media air cleaners - Media air cleaners improve indoor air quality by trapping airborne particles like dust, pollen, mold spores, and pet dander as air passes through them within an HVAC system. They use a dense, multi-layered filter material and are effective at removing contaminants, especially when using a high MERV rating (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) filter. This results in cleaner air being circulated throughout the entire home, which can be beneficial for people with allergies or respiratory issues.

Ventilation - IAQ ventilation refers to the process of using mechanical systems to introduce fresh outdoor air into a building while removing stale indoor air to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) and occupant health. It is a key component of good IAQ management, along with source control and filtration. Ventilation strategies include simple methods like opening windows and more complex, continuous mechanical systems such as heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) or energy recovery ventilators (ERVs).

Humidifiers - Humidifiers can improve indoor air quality by adding moisture to dry air, which can soothe respiratory irritation and reduce the spread of airborne viruses, but they can also harm it if not properly maintained. Improper care can lead to the dispersal of microorganisms, minerals, and chemicals from the water tank into the air, potentially causing respiratory issues. To prevent negative effects, use distilled water, clean the unit regularly, and keep humidity levels between 30% and 50%.

Dehumidifiers - A dehumidifier improves indoor air quality by removing excess moisture, which helps prevent mold, mildew, and dust mites from growing in your home. By lowering humidity, it creates a more comfortable and less stuffy environment, particularly in damp areas. This can also reduce allergens like those produced by dust mites, which thrive in humid conditions.

Plasma air cleaners - Plasma air cleaners improve indoor air quality by reducing airborne pollutants like bacteria, viruses, mold spores, odors, and VOCs. They use bipolar ionization technology to release positively and negatively charged ions that attach to particles, making them larger so they can be more easily filtered by an HVAC system or fall out of the air. This process also neutralizes odor-causing particles and can help reduce allergy and asthma symptoms.

Carbon monoxide - Maintaining good indoor air quality requires keeping carbon monoxide (CO) levels low, as it is a colorless, odorless, and highly toxic gas produced by incomplete combustion. Normal indoor levels in homes without gas stoves are typically between 0.5 and 5 ppm.

Combustible gas - Combustible gas appliances, particularly gas stoves, can negatively affect indoor air quality by releasing pollutants like particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and benzene. These emissions can exceed outdoor air quality standards even with normal use and pose health risks, especially for children, by worsening respiratory issues like asthma. The best mitigation is to ensure good ventilation by using an outdoor-venting range hood, but opening windows and maintaining appliances can also help reduce exposure.