Each year, about five to twenty percent of Americans get flu or common colds. However, what many are unaware of is that the spread of these illnesses is largely due to poor HVAC systems both for residential and commercial buildings. Poorly maintained and out of service HVAC systems allow the spread of dirt particles as well as flu carrying particles throughout residential and commercial buildings. Taking steps to improve indoor air quality can make for happier, healthier family and employees this season.
If you are ready to improve indoor air quality in your home or business, get in touch with the experts at Galmiche & Sons in St. Louis by calling 314-993-1110. You can also reach our heating & air conditioning experts through our convenient online contact form.
Improve Indoor Air Quality and Curb the Spread of Flu and Colds
Colds and flu occur more often in the winter season. This can be attributed to a number of factors, but one of the main reasons is that people tend to stay indoors and in congested rooms rather than outside in the open air. This allows for the fast spread of disease-causing viruses and bacteria, more so, if there is a poor ventilation system in the building causing poor air circulation.
Nonetheless, there are several precautions that you can take to improve indoor air quality and curb the spread of the flu and colds. This includes:
- Keeping the humidity level in check – Humidity – though one might think it is not a major cause of flu and colds – actually plays a big role in the spread of disease-causing allergens. Germs, viruses, dust mites, and molds thrive in humid environments, so controlling humidity can do wonders for improving indoor air quality. Therefore, it is important to have a properly working dehumidifier to keep the moisture content in your home at about thirty percent.
- Control air purity – The quality of air circulating in a building is another important factor that determines the spread of colds and flu. Particulate matter, as well as bacteria and viruses found in the air, should be filtered out to improve indoor air quality. Having a good HVAC system, complete with a thorough air purification system, will go a long way in ensuring that the air in your building is free of bacteria, viruses, and other microns that are hard to filter.
- Ventilation – Buildings today are designed to conserve energy, so they are tightly sealed to reduce any waste of energy. Though this might be efficient in conserving energy, it also traps contaminated air indoors, increasing the spread of flu and cold. You should, therefore, get a good ventilation system that will circulate the stale air and draw in fresh air to improve indoor air quality.
- Regular and thorough cleaning – This is a simple precaution that can be taken easily. Cleaning your home or business premises regularly to get rid of dust and dirt goes a long way in improving indoor air quality.
Contact Galmiche & Sons to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
Getting rid or flu and colds this season takes more than the precautions to improve indoor air quality outlined above – you also need the services of a professional HVAC company to clean and check your HVAC system and ensure it is in proper working order. Get in touch with our heating & air conditioning experts in St. Louis today to learn more about how you can improve indoor air quality in your home or business this cold and flu season!
