The heat & humidity in Tampa can lead to problems with indoor air quality, but i run the central a/c just about year round; Due to the considerable cost of cooling, it’s necessary to keep the apartment sealed up tight & avoid energy waste.
I’ve replaced the windows & exterior doors & carefully caulked & weatherstripped.
I’ve insulted the attic & encapsulated the crawl space. Preventing the cooled air from leaking out helps to reduce demands on the a/c; However, I’ve also eliminated natural ventilation! Since there is rarely an opportunity to open the windows & welcome in fresh air, the same stale air remains trapped in the house, and there is no way to get rid of contaminants such as dust, dander, mold spores & bacteria, however even cooking smells are contained indoors & linger. When my kids started complaining of headaches & sneezing every time the a/c started up, I knew I needed to take action. I contacted a local Tampa Heating & A/C provider, explained my problems & asked for suggestions. He recommended the installation of an energy reusey ventilator, an ERV introduces a steady influx of fresh air & extracts the stale air without energy waste. It helps to get rid of pollutants, viruses, odors & even excess humidity. I’ve noticed that I don’t need to vacuum or dust as often. The a/c isn’t forced to run as often, & I’m paying considerably less in biweekly energy bills, then because of the addition of the ERV, my family is breathing cleaner, healthier air; My friend and I are suffering from fewer health problems, sleeping better at night & feeling more productive during the day.