Name: Bounds Heating & Air
Address: 25645 West, Newberry Road, Newberry, FL, 32669
Telephone: 352-472-2761

HOW TO REDUCE ALLERGENS IN YOUR HOME

Use these tips to breathe easier at home this allergy season!

1. Upgrade your HVAC system’s air filter.

The higher your air filter’s efficiency rating is, the more effectively it will capture airborne particles. If you’re currently using a MERV 7 filter, consider upgrading to a MERV 11 or 13. Although these filters typically cost more, they do a much better job at filtering out tiny particles like pollen, and the rating isn’t so high that it will impede airflow through your system.

2. Take off your shoes at the front door.

We can bring all sorts of things into our homes on our shoes: dirt, dust, pollen, and lots of germs. Avoid this problem by taking your shoes off at your front or back door and placing them on a shoe rack in your entryway.

3. Replace carpeting with hard flooring.

Carpeting can harbor a lot of dust, dander, and other allergens, and every time you walk across it, those particles can get stirred up into the air. Wherever possible, replace your carpeting with materials that are easier to deep clean, like wood or vinyl.

4. Wash or dry your bedding in warm temperatures weekly.

Dust mites are a common allergen in comforters, sheets, and pillowcases, and unfortunately, cold water won’t get rid of them. To remove dust mites, you need to wash your bedding in water that’s at least 130°F or dry your bedding at 130°F if washing it in hot water will damage it.

5. Declutter and dust often.

The more clutter your home has, the harder it is to keep clean and dust-free. When you are dusting, don’t forget often-neglected areas such as:

Air vent and exhaust fan registers

Window treatments

Lampshades

Areas underneath furniture

Ceiling fans

Houseplants

Still feeling sneezy? At Bounds Heating & Air, we offer top-of-the-line indoor air quality solutions throughout Gainesville, including whole-home air purifiers and UV lamps. Contact us online or give us a call at (352) 472-2761 to learn more about how we can help you.

HVAC UV Lights: Do They Really Work?

Ultraviolet (UV) light is mostly known for being the primary cause of fading fabrics and furniture. You might be surprised to learn that UV light can actually make your home healthier. In this blog, your HVAC repair expert, Bounds Heating and Air, takes a look at HVAC UV lights.

How Do HVAC UV Lights Work?

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) systems have been widely used since the 1930s in hospitals for disinfecting hands and tools such as scalpels. The light targets bacteria, viruses, and spores by destroying the microorganisms’ nucleic acids, which either kills them or their ability to reproduce. This same system is also used in water purification and other similar applications, such as HVAC UV lights.

According to experts like Bounds Heating and Air, UVGI systems produce high-intensity UV light, using

special lamps installed inside specially designed enclosures. The actual length of exposure, or dose, depends on several factors, including the size of the area to be disinfected, the distance from the area to the lamp, and the quality of the lamp used. Certain types of lamps may have coatings that prevent shattering in case of breakage, which can decrease the UV output. Similar to HVAC maintenance, UVGI systems require regular maintenance to maintain the output level.

Should You Buy HVAC UV Lights?

It should be noted that UV lamps cost much more than ordinary lights, and lose power over the course of about two years. Also, while UVGI systems are effective in cleaning microorganisms, they don’t eliminate dust, pet hair, and smells.

That being said, HVAC UV lights are a good investment if air quality is of paramount concern. Perhaps you or someone in your home has a respiratory condition that is triggered by microorganisms, such as asthma or allergies. Or perhaps there is a flu virus making the rounds in the area and you wish to minimize its spread. HVAC UV lights are not meant to replace the filters that your HVAC system has in place. Rather, they’re meant as a complementary system to catch what the filters can’t.

Bounds Heating and Air has provided quality HVAC products and services to North Floridian communities for over 20 years. To learn more about HVAC UV lights, or if you need air conditioning repair, maintenance or installation services, call us today at 352-472-2761. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule a free estimate. We serve Lake City, FL, and surrounding areas in Florida.

Category: HVAC UV Light