Allergies and HVAC

Today, we are highlighting Fred McCollum, founder and owner of Pride Air Conditioning and Heating. Pride is a family business based in Manassas, serving Northern Virginia. The company “prides” itself in providing the finest state-of-the-art heating, cooling and air purification products, as well as actually guaranteeing work, not just equipment.

Fred is an expert in air filtration and has options for kids with indoor allergies and asthma. 

PwcMoms: Fred, a fair number of my readers deal with asthma and allergy issues. How you can help out with that? 

FM: Well first, you have to know there’s an allergy problem. Generally (and I’m not a doctor), dark circles under the eyes are one of the telltale signs of childhood allergies. Then there’s the itchy, watering and stinging eyes, sneezing and dripping nose and sometimes coughing and wheezing that kids have to deal with when their allergies or asthma flare. Here’s the thing. The United States Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, has ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental dangers. The quality of indoor air can be two to five times (and even up to 100 times) more polluted than the worst outside air. Air Scrubber Plus® with Active Pure technology reduces up to 99.9 percent of the harmful contaminants throughout your home, and that’s important when you’re talking allergies. 

PwcMoms: What does that kind of HVAC filtration do, exactly? 

FM: The main purposes of a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (or HVAC) system is to help maintain good indoor air quality through ventilation with filtration and provide thermal comfort. Proper air filtration and care for your HVAC system will result in better air quality and a healthier environment for your family in your home, as well as increase the efficiency and longevity your HVAC system.

Placing air filters in your home’s ventilation system can block airborne particles, including animal dander, pollen, mold spores, bacteria and viruses.

Here is some technical information. Depending on the minimum efficiency rating value (or MERV) of your air filters, more or less particles are blocked. For an HVAC system, it is recommended that you use air filters with a MERV rating between 8 and 13. The higher the rating, the more contaminants that will be blocked, better protecting your equipment and your family’s lungs.

PwcMoms: How many treatments are we talking about to help alleviate a child's symptoms? 

FM: Families should change their home’s air filters every 30-60 days. This will depend on how dirty the air ducts are and if your family has pets that shed.

PwcMoms: NIH reports that asthma is one of the leading causes of absenteeism in school children.  Have you had any families report that your services have helped with that? 

 FM: The NIH report makes sense. The effects of childhood allergies and asthma don’t stop with the visible symptoms. They can make kids feel tired and sick at school, which affects their performance. Allergies and asthma can even make it difficult or dangerous for kids to participate in sports. And many allergy medications leave kids in zombie mode, so they have to stay home. 

I can tell you from my personal experience that my wife suffers from asthma and was taking her medication as much as three to four times daily. I installed the Air Scrubber Plus® in my home and within two to three weeks, she was down to only taking her medication one to two times a week.

I believe the Air Scrubber Plus® made tremendous improvements in her quality of life. This may not be the result for everyone, but it will make the home air almost sterile.  

PwcMoms: Can you add filtration to any HVAC system or only certain types?

FM: Air filtration can be added to any system. The application varies from job to job.

PwcMoms: Do children with allergies or asthma need to be out of the house for any period of time after cleaning and installation of a system? 

FM: No. The Air Scrubber Plus® product is installed inside the air duct system. It works with the indoor fan to remove airborne bacteria and is completely safe.

PwcMoms: Can it help with pet hair and dander?

FM: Yes indeed. Air Scrubber Plus® is designed to help eliminate indoor air quality risks by reducing air pollutants (including hair and dander), VOCs (chemical odors), cigarette smoke, dust, pollen, mold, odor-causing bacteria and odors caused by pets and cooking.

Here’s the more technical description. Air Scrubber Plus® with Active Pure technology cleans, freshens and purifies the air using special germicidal UV light waves along with a catalytic process that creates enviro-scrubbing molecules of oxygen and hydrogen.

            In essence, it’s just like nature’s outdoor scrubbers. That’s one of the reasons it’s safe.

It’s important remember, though, that this is not just an air filter. Every home still needs a regular filter for dust and dirt.

PwcMoms: Thanks, Fred! 

As one of the leading heating and cooling contractors in Virginia, Pride is ready, willing and able to help you reduce the effects of allergies and take care of all your HVAC needs. They consider energy efficiency when recommending products, as well as adhere to EPA standards. When it is time for upgrading, retrofitting or installing a new heating or air conditioning system, skilled technicians guide customers through the process. Pride also offers preventive maintenance and service agreements designed to keep systems running at peak capacity and prevent unforeseen repairs.

For more information on the company and its services, visit www.prideacandheating.com.

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Disclosure: Pride is a sponsor of PwcMoms.com