Lately, the Western U.S has been engulfed in wildfire smoke with over 1.9 million acres ablaze, across 15 states from Arizona to Alaska. With 110 large fires spread across a vast area, California was at the receiving end of most of it.
Having displaced over 20,000 people and incinerated thousands of homes, the 2018 California wildfires are said to be one of the most ferocious and deadly ones the state has seen. What makes this calamity even more alarming is the fact that apart from affecting the lives of people in the vicinity, it also poses a threat to the rest of the country because wildfire smoke travels and lingers in the air, causing serious health concerns.
Wildfire smoke is made up of carbon dioxide, water vapor, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, hydrocarbons, and other organic chemicals which make the air toxic to breathe. While smoke from wildfires is bound to cause danger to those in and around the affected areas, it poses a bigger risk to those staying away from the immediately affected areas because as the smoke travels, it attracts more particulate matter, making the air even more toxic.|
Exposure to such air can trigger wheezing, shortness of breath, asthma attacks, runny nose, tiredness, sinus issues, and more health problems. Wildfire smoke particularly affects pregnant women, elderly, and those suffering from heart and lung diseases.
Given the poor air quality and health concerns, the Washington State Department of Health recently shared tips on staying healthy in smoky air conditions. One of the precautionary measures stated was, “Don’t vacuum unless your vacuum has a HEPA filter, because vacuuming stirs up particles already inside your home.” This means that using regular, portable vacuums at such times will keep these particles circulating in the air, making the air quality
indoors even poorer.
So, how does one keep their space clean in such conditions?
Don’t worry – we have a solution! Here’s when a central vacuum system works wonders and you can rest assured you are breathing clean, unpolluted air.
Central vacuum systems are in-built cleaning systems installed in homes with a power unit, inlet valves at convenient locations, and a hose. They are convenient to use and don’t need you to carry along bulky, portable vacuum cleaners around the house. They come equipped with a powerful motor that seamlessly separates pollutants from the air. All you need to do is connect the lightweight hose to the inlet valves installed in the walls and start cleaning.
What sets central vacuum systems apart from the traditional ones are the fact that the dirt and debris that are collected are transported out of the house via a network of pipes to the collection container that is placed in a remote area like the garage or basement. This system ensures that this very air is not redistributed in the house and is instead completely eradicated when it’s emptied about once per season.
On the other hand, as a traditional vacuum cleaner releases dirt and other impurities into a bag attached to it, there is no guarantee that the contaminated air is not circulated back into the home as changing the collection bag is bound to release some impurities back to the air. This is the prime reason why using central vacuum systems is recommended as opposed to regular vacuum cleaners, especially during smoky air conditions.
In fact, a study done by the University of California Davis School of Medicine further proves this.
The study revealed that allergy sufferers’ symptoms can be improved up to 61% when using a central vacuum system. Thus, not only does it remove dirt and clean your space, but this vacuum system also improves the air quality indoors by reducing the air-borne particulates.
So, now you know why your allergies never went away or why you were experiencing recurring health issues in spite of the ‘thorough cleaning’ you would do using regular vacuum cleaners – yes, the allergens were always present in the air!
If you are worried that this central vacuum system will be suited to clean your home, don’t be. Regardless of the type of flooring–tile, hardwood, carpets–a central vacuum system is a versatile cleaning solution and is sure to clean every corner in minutes.
What makes it versatile is the host of durable accessories, cleaning kits, and powerheads it comes with ranging from quick clean-up options such as Vroom and Wally to even specialized tools for cleaning crevices and grooming pets.
At Gary’s Vacuflo, we understand the importance of breathing clean air and share a passion to improve the indoor air quality of living and work spaces with our central vacuum systems and we take pride in our comprehensive 20-Point System Inspection. This ensures that all our products are correctly installed and exhibit optimal performance.
We also conduct regular checkups every 2 to 3 years where we inspect the power units, tubing system, and accessories to ensure they are running well. These inspections include tightening exhausts and line clamps, cleaning canisters, checking utility valve operations, running a pressure check on the entire system, troubleshooting leakages, and cleaning all the accessories involved.
There is nothing more important than living in a clean space and breathing clean, pollutant-free air and this is even more important in times like this when wildfire smokes has plagued the entire Pacific Northwest
So, invest in central vacuum systems and bring home this convenient, easy-to-use, and powerful cleaning solution that guarantees to purify the air. Given the benefits, it sure is a smart investment to make and also boost the resale value of your home if you ever want to put it up for sale.
Contact us today and take a step toward a healthier future for you and your family! Our superior quality products and excellent customer service are sure to leave you satisfied.
Tags: best vacuum for allergies, forest fires, vacuuming and air quality, vacuuming tips
