Many Australian homeowners don’t think about how their air conditioning system helps keep the air clean, even though it has a big effect on health and well-being.  Your air conditioner does two main things: it keeps the temperature in your home at a comfortable level and it filters the air that flows through it.  If you know how to improve your AC’s filtration and maintenance, it can become a powerful tool for improving the air quality inside your home.

The Important Connection Between AC Systems and Air Quality

Modern air conditioning systems constantly clean the air by removing dust, pollen, pet hair, and other pollutants.  People with allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems are directly affected by the filtering system.  When you take care of it, your air conditioning system works like a health system for your home. ​

But if systems are not taken care of, they circulate dirty air that collects bacteria, mold spores, and allergens that stay inside where there isn’t much air flow. ​

 Learning about different types of filters and how well they work

Standard Fibreglass Filters: Basic protection that stops about 20% of particles.  Great for getting rid of dust in general, but not so great for getting rid of allergens. ​

Pleated filters catch 40–45% more than regular filters.  Recommended for people with allergies and homes with pets. High-efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA filters) catch 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.  Families who care about their health will find that HEPA systems make the air inside their homes much better. ​

Activated carbon filters are made to get rid of smells, gases, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  Great for homes that are close to traffic, cooking, or chemicals.

Why it’s important to clean and change your filter often

When your AC unit has dirty filters, it has to work too hard, which lowers its efficiency and the quality of the air.  NGW Group says that during busy times, you should change your standard filters every month, your pleated filters every three months, and your HEPA filters every three months. When filters get clogged, the system’s air quality gets worse, energy costs go up, and equipment breaks down faster, which leads to costly maintenance costs.

Controlling Humidity and Air Quality Inside

Keeping the humidity between 30% and 50% stops mold and dust mites from growing.  Modern air conditioning systems control both temperature and humidity, making it hard for organisms that cause allergies to live.  When humidity levels are not kept in check, the air inside becomes a dangerous place for people with breathing problems.

Tasks for Keeping the Air Clean

Professional AC Maintenance: Once a year, the coils, ducts, and blowers inside the unit are cleaned to stop the growth of microbes and keep the air flowing.  NGW Group says that you should have your air conditioning and heating checked in the spring and fall, before the hottest and coldest months.

Cleaning the ducts: Dust, debris, and biological contaminants build up in ductwork over time.  Cleaning your ducts by a professional every three to five years makes the air in bigger homes or apartments much better.

Cleaning the coils: Dirty evaporator coils can grow mold and bacteria.  Regular professional cleaning keeps germs from spreading throughout your home.

Upgrades to the system for better air quality

Modern air conditioning systems have advanced features that make the air inside much better:

Ultraviolet lights kill bacteria and viruses in the air without using chemicals.

Ionisation systems make negatively charged ions that neutralise particles and smells in the air.

The system lets people connect their air purifiers to extra filters that help people with weak immune systems.

How to Get the Most Out of Your System

To improve the quality of indoor air, everyone needs to work together to choose the right filters, keep up with regular cleaning, control humidity, and upgrade systems when necessary.

Get in touch with NGW Group today

NGW Group offers professional air conditioning maintenance and air quality improvement services for homes and businesses in Canberra.  To improve the quality of the air inside, our team of experts offers filter cleaning, maintenance, and system upgrades.

Call us today to book your air conditioning service and get expert advice on how to get the most out of your system’s air purification features.  You can set up your meeting by calling NGW Group at 02 6108 3822 or going to ngwgroup.com.au

NGW Group delivers full climate control systems which match exact customer needs. Our expert team develops systems through evaporative cooling and reverse cycle systems and hybrid solutions that meet the specific requirements of Canberra.

Book your consultation today on 02 6108 3822 or visit ngwgroup.com.au to discuss optimal cooling and heating solutions for your home.