I had become very excited knowing that my due date was soon approaching and even while 37 weeks pregnant, I couldn’t ignore the urge to begin nesting. It started in my toddler’s room when I suddenly started thinking of different ways to rotate their bunkbed. Thankfully, there is no other way because it’s too big and well… I was too. However, I found much more to do for my 2-bedroom apartment, but then the weekend came. I was diagnosed with COVID-19. Yet, apparently, that wasn’t enough. My 2-year-old daughter was also diagnosed with COVID-19 as well and my 3-year-old son was diagnosed with Strep, and flu. Even the doctor said he’d never seen anything like that with a family under one roof. However, my children attend the same daycare, but in separate buildings, so I could see how.
At this point, I am back at home, and me and my family are on lockdown, isolating ourselves and trying our hardest to not contaminate anymore of the house. The baby was coming in 2 weeks and as much as I should have been resting, I couldn’t stop staring at it. My HVAC system had been slightly open since around the last time it was serviced. It was missing a screw and could no longer fight the urge to fix it. So, my best friend and I decided to open it and couldn’t believe what we were seeing. I am no engineer, but thanks to Cosmos Air Filternomics™ class, I know about filters and HVAC. The filters that were in my HVAC system were Cosmos Air filters, so that was great to see, however they were entirely too small! I immediately went into panic mode.
The last time I had an issue with my water, my building’s maintenance-man told me there was nothing he could do. I then reached out to the building manager, who told me there was nothing she could do because they don’t provide the water. I thought to myself “My Mom owns a house, but she doesn’t provide her own water either.” So, I ended up having to take extra steps just to make sure I cooked and cleaned me and my kids with clean water, until one day the entire building’s water turned a muddy-brown. What was my one concern has now turned into hundreds of concerns. Had they not neglected to investigate the issue, it could have been prevented and saved their company money.
Although my HVAC systems won’t affect the entire building, I knew if I had the wrong size filters… more than likely everyone does. Let me tell you why this is unacceptable.
Gaps and Bypass:
- If the filter is too small, gaps will form, allowing unfiltered air to bypass the filter. This means dust, pollen, pet dander, and other airborne particles will circulate throughout your home.
- If the filter is too large, it may bend or fold, also creating gaps.
Compromised Air Quality:
- This directly leads to poorer indoor air quality, which can exacerbate allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems (which both me and my children had been experiencing)
Mold and Bacterial Growth from Moisture Buildup:
- Restricted airflow can lead to moisture buildup within the HVAC system, creating an environment conducive to mold and bacterial growth. These contaminants can then be circulated throughout your home.
Restricted Airflow:
- When your HVAC system has to work harder to compensate for restricted airflow, it consumes more energy. This translates to higher utility bills.
- This increased strain can lead to:
- Overheating.
- Premature wear and tear on components like the blower motor and compressor.
I called about my filters and informed them of all of this. Then the baby came. While I was in the hospital, maintenance came and re-serviced the HVAC systems. When I arrived home, I was eager to welcome baby home, but I was also eager to check out my new Cosmos filters. Unfortunately, the service job was even worse than the last. This created a concern with a newborn in the house.
If premature wear and tear doesn’t get your building manager’s attention, then don’t worry. Below are 7 easy steps that you would take to hold them accountable.
1. Educate Yourself and call Cosmos:
- Contact your air filtration specialists at Cosmos Air. Equipped with knowledge, quality products, and the eagerness to educate, Cosmos will be your first point of contact. We will reach out to the building manager with expert solutions on how to service the property properly to achieve the best outcome for your air quality needs.
2. Know Your Rights:
- Familiarize yourself with your lease agreement and local tenant laws. Many jurisdictions have regulations regarding landlords’ responsibilities for maintaining habitable living conditions, which often include proper ventilation and air filtration.
3. Document Everything:
- Keep a record of every interaction with your building manager, including dates, times, and details of your complaints.
- Take photos or videos of the air filters as evidence.
- Save any written communication, such as emails or letters.
4. Put it in Writing:
- Send a formal written complaint to your building manager, clearly stating the issue and requesting immediate action.
- Be specific about the problem and its impact on your health and comfort.
- Request a timeline for when the issue will be resolved.
5. Follow Up Consistently:
- If you don’t receive a response or if the issue isn’t resolved within a reasonable timeframe, follow up with your building manager.
- Maintain a log of all follow-up attempts.
6. Escalate if Necessary:
- If your building manager continues to be unresponsive, consider escalating the issue to their supervisor or the property management company.
- If all else fails, you may need to contact your local housing authority or seek legal advice.
7. Rally Your Neighbors:
- If you are not the only one experiencing this issue, group together with your neighbors. Collective action is more effective than individual complaints.
Let’s face it. Dealing with building maintenance can be a headache. But when your basic needs, like clean air, are being neglected, it’s time to take action. Dirty and incorrect air filters aren’t just a minor inconvenience; they can impact your health and well-being. Thankfully, I knew what to do to take the right steps towards cleaner air. Now my family are COVID, Strep and Flu-FREE and my newborn baby is safe. Thank you, to Cosmos Air, who understands that clean air means a cleaner future.
