The spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has changed the way we live, work and play. And although Clearwater, Florida has not yet made mask-wearing indoors required (as of July 17, 2020), it’s become the new normal across our nation as we continue to fight the virus.
For homeowners, it’s also changed the way we’ve welcomed others into our homes. There are, however, a few things we can do to protect ourselves and loved ones from harmful bacteria and pollutants using something as simple as our air conditioning (AC).
Read on to learn how, together, we’re staying healthy and taking care of your HVAC needs during these unprecedented times.
But, First: What is COVID-19?
According to the World Health Organization, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.
Most people infected with the COVID-19 experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems and cancer, are more likely to develop serious illness. The best way to prevent and slow transmission is to be well informed about the COVID-19 virus and how it spreads.
To see the latest coronavirus updates for Pinellas County, click here.
How Do HVAC Systems Help You Stay Healthy?
During this pandemic, our health is always at the top of our minds, and we want to feel safe in our own homes. Even before COVID-19 emerged, Americans already spent an average of 90% of their time indoors, where some pollutants are often 2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor concentrations.1
Well, have you ever wondered if your central heating and cooling system can prevent sickness? The good news is your HVAC unit doesn’t just keep your home comfortable and remove stale air and humidity. It kills airborne bacteria, too.
How it Works
Your AC system works hand-in-hand with your ductwork to take in warm, indoor air and turn it into clean, cool air that’s distributed back throughout your home. (A mini-split system has a similar process, but it uses evaporator coils and fins instead of a duct system.) This purification process benefits your home and improves the health of others as it takes in pollutants, dust and debris out of the air.
What You Can Do
If you want to maintain clean air and stay healthy inside your home, we recommend the following AC products and services that are growing in popularity this pandemic:
- UV (ultraviolet) light purification, which fights off harmful bacteria, viruses, mold and mildew
- Quality air filters and filtration systems that properly fit your unit and trap dust, bacteria and other pollutants
- Humidifiers and dehumidifiers that properly adjust the amount of moisture in your home
When you work with an experienced AC company, like Air Care, we’ll help you achieve fresh indoor air quality–all the time. Call us today to discover which services best protect your home.
What is UV Light Purification?
Research shows that waves of ultraviolet light, known as germicidal UV, can be delivered in the right dose to wipe out viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms.2 And with the rise in coronaviruses cases across the globe, many homeowners and business owners are turning to UV (ultraviolet) light purification to clean their inside air.
This award-winning technology:
- Fights mold, germs and allergens
- Removes odors
- Improves indoor air quality
- Cleans your central air system
- Reduces recurring maintenance and energy costs
- Disinfects your system without chemicals
- Is safe and effective
- Is validated ozone-free
The UV light purification process keeps your family healthy, protects your indoor air from harmful pollution, and extends the life of your HVAC system, making it more efficient and effective in the long-run.
Our Air Care team has received an influx of requests for the sale and installation of this system. If you’d like more information about UV light purification, connect with us today, or stop into our office location to see one for yourself: 1175 N Hercules Ave, Clearwater, FL 33765.
What About Air Filters?
Air filters are one of the most practical ways to prevent dust, debris and other pollutants from entering your system and air ducts. You should check your AC filter at least every 30 days, even if it doesn’t need to be replaced.3
In Florida and Pinellas County, we generally score high on “good” air quality according to the Air Quality Index (AQI).4 This is good news for your air filter, since good quality outdoor air translates to better indoor air as well.
While easy to change out yourself, our Air Care technicians will always check your air filters during your bi-annual maintenance and tune-up service. If you have questions about your filters or want to schedule service, give us a call.
How Air Care Protects Our Customers During COVID-19
In line with the CDC guidelines, our HVAC technicians are taking the necessary precautions to protect our customers and ourselves from the coronavirus. This means our team:
- Monitors their health daily
- Washes their hands often
- Does not show up to work sick or with symptoms
- Always wears a mask and gloves while indoors
- Wears protective footwear, when necessary
- Maintains a safe social distance
- Cleans and disinfects each area of service with EPA-registered disinfectants
Long before the pandemic began, we’ve always done our best to keep customers healthy and happy. That means during every scheduled HVAC maintenance, repair and installation, we disinfect each surface, units and ductwork we come in contact with.
If you have any questions about our safety practices, call the Air Care office today.
Learn More From Your Clearwater AC Experts
Safety is our priority, and we’re here to help you achieve clean air and stay healthy inside your home. If you have cooling needs this summer, trust your Clearwater AC repair experts at Air Care to get the job done.
“The results were so impressive that Southeastern University decided to install Fresh-Aire UV Tight-Fit Kit UVTM germicidal UV light systems in all of their PTAC units.”
– Southeastern University
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APPENDIX
[1] US Environmental Protection Agency: Indoor Air Quality
[2] Coronavirus Sparks New Interest In Using Ultraviolet Light To Disinfect Indoor Air
[3] Home Depot: How often you should change your air filter
[4] PinellasCounty.org: Air quality daily readings
