When you think about cigarettes, you immediately consider what they do to your body. The harmful effects of cigarettes have been researched extensively and are commonplace knowledge. Over the years, the harmful effects of tobacco have been made publicly available and are used as a deterrent to stir people away from smoking. But what most people don’t know is the impact of cigarettes on your home and the HVAC system.
Research conducted by the EPA in 2003 found that tobacco smoke is among the top five indoor air pollutants. Cigarette smoke consists of over 7000 chemicals, many of which are toxic and/or carcinogenic. These harmful toxins linger in the drapes, carpets, upholstery, etc. Not only does it put your family’s health at risk, but it also affects the quality and function of your home’s HVAC system.
Many homeowners don’t realize that by smoking indoors, they are damaging their home’s HVAC system. The harmful toxins in cigarette smoke can build up on the coils and other parts of the system, making it less efficient and more expensive to operate. In some cases, the damage caused by cigarette smoke can be so severe that it voids the manufacturer’s warranty.
But how does it all work?
When you smoke indoors, the harmful toxins in the smoke settle on surfaces and are eventually drawn into the HVAC system. The coils in the system are designed to remove heat from the air, but they can’t do their job properly when they’re covered in toxins. As a result, the system has to work harder to maintain the same level of comfort, which leads to higher energy bills.
But that’s not the only problem at hand. Once you smoke indoors, the dust particles absorb the toxins and are circulated throughout the house every time the HVAC system is turned on. This puts your family at risk of exposure to harmful toxins, even if they don’t smoke themselves.
So what can you do about it?
The best way to protect your family and your home’s HVAC system is not to smoke indoors. If you must smoke, do it away from the house and dispose of your cigarettes properly. You should also have your HVAC system serviced to ensure that it’s functioning properly and isn’t damaged by cigarette smoke.
Duct cleaning: One of the best ways and one that we recommend getting rid of the remnants of cigarette smoke within your home’s HVAC system is cleaning your air ducts regularly. Air duct cleaning will help remove toxins on your system’s coils and other parts, making it more efficient and reducing your energy bills.
Regular maintenance: As we mentioned earlier, it’s important to have your HVAC system regularly serviced to ensure that it functions properly. This is even more important if you smoke indoors, as the harmful toxins in cigarette smoke can damage the system over time. Having a professional HVAC system service will help extend its life and keep it running efficiently.
Air Sanitizers: Air sanitizers can also help to remove the harmful toxins in cigarette smoke from your home’s air. These devices work by releasing negative ions into the air, which bind to the positively charged toxins and cause them to fall to the ground. This helps improve your home’s air quality and protect your family from exposure to harmful toxins.
Change air filters: Another simple way to help improve the air quality in your home is to change your air filters regularly. This is especially important if you have pets or smoke cigarettes, as the filters can become clogged with dust, dander, and toxins. Changing your air filters regularly will help ensure that your HVAC system can function properly and maintain the indoor air quality of your home.
Dust your home: Dusting your home regularly will also help to improve the air quality. When you dust, use a damp cloth to avoid spreading dust around. And dust all surfaces, including ceiling fans, baseboards, and blinds.
Vacuum your carpets: Vacuuming your carpets regularly is another great way to improve the air quality in your home. Carpets can often trap and absorb smoke, dirt, dust, and pollen, which can then be circulated through the house when the HVAC system is turned on. Vacuuming helps to remove these contaminants from the carpet, so they don’t get recirculated into the air.
While we could go on and on about minimizing the effect of cigarette smoke on your home, the only long-term solution to any of this is to stop smoking indoors or smoking in general simply. But we understand that’s not always possible or realistic. So, if you must smoke, take the necessary precautions to protect your family and home.
