One unfortunate aspect of modern society that most of us have to contend with on a regular basis is air pollution. High levels of smog can make your eyes burn and cause your chest to feel constricted. Skyrocketing pollen counts lead to watery eyes and uncontrolled sneezing. Your home or business may be situated near an industrial zone that is known for excessive pollution, or you might live or work close to a freeway.

Whether you suffer from pollution or allergens, outdoor air quality is something everyone needs to pay attention to. In fact, you might be wondering if the outdoor air quality will affect your air conditioning unit.

Outdoor Air Quality

A variety of factors can lead to conditions of poor outdoor air quality. The most obvious situations are when pollution levels are so high that the government issues a smog alert or other warnings. During allergy season, researchers keep track of the pollen count and let the public know so they can take medications and try to avoid going outside.

Diminished air quality is bad for everyone, but it is particularly dangerous for certain groups of people including those with allergies and asthma, the very young and old, and people with compromised breathing conditions such as emphysema or COPD. Health experts will caution at-risk groups to avoid exercising outdoors and to stay inside a building with air conditioning, such as at home, work or at a shopping mall.

You can consult your newspaper or visit air quality websites to get the latest reports about weather conditions in Jacksonville.

Running Your AC Unit More Often

It's a given that we need to run the air conditioning unit more when the weather becomes excessively hot or cold. When the air quality is poor and the government has recommended that people stay inside, such as during a severe smog alert, you will definitely see increased use of your HVAC equipment.

To ensure maximum comfort, use a programmable or smart thermostat to trigger your air conditioner to go off according to the schedule of your family at home or your colleagues at work. This saves you from running the AC more than you need to when no one is at home, for example, while still ensuring that you will be comfortable when you arrive.

Make Sure a Qualified Professional Inspects and Maintains Your AC Unit

Your HVAC unit represents a significant investment, and you will want to make sure that you protect it by scheduling appointments on a regular basis for inspection, cleaning and maintenance.

If you cannot remember the last time you had someone inspect your HVAC equipment, it's probably overdue for cleaning. Keeping your AC equipment clean will let it run more efficiently, which translates into better indoor air quality as well as lower utility bills.

Savvy business owners and homeowners alike will remember to schedule an appointment with a licensed, professional air conditioning specialists well before the weather starts warming up.

If you wait until the peak of summer or winter when demand is highest for both new installations and service call appointments, it will be harder to get a qualified professional to take care of you in a timely manner. Instead, it's best to schedule your maintenance and cleaning service during off-peak periods.

At David Gray Heating & Air, our professionally trained technicians have the expertise and knowledge to quickly assess your home and business HVAC needs. If you have concerns about getting a better level of indoor air quality during times of heavy pollution or allergy seasons in Jacksonville, please contact David Gray Heating & Air today. We're looking forward to hearing from you!