3 Steps to Improving
Indoor Air Quality
Is Your HVAC Making You Sick?
There’s no doubt about it: poor indoor air quality can make you and your family sick more often and more severely. Whether it’s seasonal allergies, constant migraines, recurring dizziness, dangerous asthma, or consistent fatigue, poor indoor air quality can do a number on your health. It doesn’t stop there, either; bad indoor air quality can also make for a generally uncomfortable environment (hello, humidity) and an increased energy bill.
So, how do you stop bad indoor air quality from wreaking havoc on your health, pocketbook, and life? Our experts have put together this informative checklist to help you do just that by improving the quality of the air in your home.
Step 1 – Stop Airborne Irritants at the Door
Airborne irritants play a big role in keeping you sick, especially during certain times of the year. Some of these allergens include dust, smoke, pet dander, lint, and pollen. Let’s talk about a few things you can implement to ensure the air in your home isn’t filled with these allergens.
Choose a Good Air Filter
Your air filter is your first line of defense when it comes to pesky irritants. Choosing a good one not only benefits your family’s health, but it also helps to keep your HVAC unit running well, as it guarantees that the critical components are kept clean and operating efficiently.
You can choose the right air filter for your home by first checking your manufacturer’s instructions, which will tell you the size of filter you need to purchase and install. Note that you cannot adjust this; it’s important that you have the proper size of filter to ensure efficiency and safety.
Next, look at the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating, which tells you how efficiently the filter removes particles from the air. Higher ratings stop more particles, which may seem like a good thing. However, be aware that the higher the MERV rating, the more quickly your filter will need to be changed. Additionally, higher filtration can also reduce energy efficiency, as your system will need to work harder for it.
Be sure to consider each of these important factors as you choose an air filter for your home. If you need help choosing the right one, take time to consult with your chosen HVAC professional.
Keep Your Unit Clean
Dust particles and other allergens can get trapped in your ducts and vents. As such, it’s important to regularly check and clean them. To clean your vents, dust them on a regular basis. Lift up any floor registers and sweep them out. Additionally, ensure that there is no furniture in front of your vents blocking the airflow.
Regular duct cleaning is important, too. However, this is not a do-it-yourself job. For the best results in cleaning your air ducts, it’s advisable to seek a professional, as they will know what to look for, will have the right equipment, and will have been trained in exactly what to do to maintain your system.
The top benefits of maintaining the cleanliness of your vents and ducts include:
- Improved performance and continued health of your HVAC unit
- Longer HVAC system life with fewer costly repairs
- More energy efficiency, resulting in lowered energy bills
- Decreased propensity for respiratory illnesses and/or allergy issues
- Less dust, which keeps your home cleaner for longer
Bring Outdoor Air Inside
Indoor air can contain 2 to 5 times more pollution than outdoor air. That’s a shocking statistic that may make you want to throw your windows open. However, there are some HVAC system improvements that can help you bring that refreshing outside air indoors. For instance, adding a ventilator to your system can provide you fresh air, no matter the weather outside. It can also increase energy efficiency, both lowering your bills and benefiting the environment.
Other Simple Routines to Improve Air Quality
In addition to the above tips on improving your indoor air quality, there are several smaller things you can do in your home to cut down on annoying allergens. For example, you can also ensure that all gaps in your home are sealed, such as the spaces between door frames and windows. Furthermore, looking into more energy-efficient window options is another way to reduce the areas where pollutants can creep into your home. Even putting your home on a strict dusting/vacuuming schedule can drastically reduce the allergens that tend to clog up your air system. Finally, removing your shoes before coming into your home offers another easy way to cut down on particles that don’t belong inside.
Step 2 – Control the Humidity Levels in Your Home
Your HVAC is designed to remove the right amount of heat and moisture from your home so that you can live in a comfortable environment. However, sometimes systems malfunction or get less efficient as they age, causing excess moisture to build up (alongside excess discomfort). Some clear signs your HVAC unit is not working properly to get rid of humidity are:
- The air in your home has a moist feeling
- Your windows have fog build-up
- There are parts of your home that smell damp or musty
If this is happening in your home, take action now. It’s a sign your system is overworking and could cause more damage and expensive repairs as time goes on. The best way to maintain humidity levels in your home is to have an HVAC professional install a dehumidifier onto your unit.
Step 3 – Schedule Routine Maintenance on Your HVAC System
Regular maintenance is vital for your HVAC system’s continued performance. Seasonal maintenance has many benefits, including:
- Fewer costly emergency repairs
- Healthier air quality in your home
- System longevity
- Decreased energy bills
- Less negative impact on the environment
To keep your HVAC system running efficiently and reap the benefits of a well-maintained unit, be sure to schedule routine seasonal tune-ups.
One Call Can Help
Whether you need help to improve the indoor air quality of your home, schedule a duct-cleaning appointment, install new equipment onto your system, schedule a damper adjustment, set up a seasonal maintenance appointment, or get access to our 24/7 emergency HVAC service, One Call Service Group has got you covered. Call us at 501-960-5030, or fill out our online form today!
Make your One Call Today!
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