Your family spends more time in your home than anywhere else. Isn’t it important that they breathe the cleanest air possible? These tips will help ensure your family avoids the many health issues related to poor indoor air quality.
5 Tips to Ensure Good Indoor Air Quality
- Clean your vents. Dust, mold and allergens can build up quickly in your ventilation system. The easiest way to prevent them from getting into the system is to clean your vents on a regular basis, at least quarterly. You may want to consider having your ductwork cleaned occasionally as well.
- Change your air filters. Your air filters should be changed, at a minimum, on a quarterly basis—though many systems perform better with monthly changing to go along with the cleaning of your vents. One way to determine this is the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating on your system, which ranges from 1–12. The higher the number, the more the filter removes from your air, and the easier it can become clogged. Change filters with a high MERV rating more frequently.
- Keep your home clean. This is another major way that dust, mold and allergens can quickly become problematic. A dirty house also hides other maintenance issues that can affect your indoor air quality, such as a leaking pipe or roof, animal messes and other problems that may arise in the home.
- Maintain your HVAC system. By keeping your HVAC system working at peak efficiency, it won’t spend excessive amounts of time cycling. This means your system won’t have to work as hard to keep your air clean and comfortable.
- Control moisture in the home. If you have a bathroom that regularly smells musty, consider upgrading your ventilation fan for one that can move more air. Otherwise, be sure to check that your existing fan is run on a regular basis to remove excess moisture from your home. Adding a vented range hood will also reduce moisture. Consider using a dehumidifier if it’s needed to get your indoor humidity under control.
By following these tips, you’ll soon have better indoor air quality. If you are still having problems after going through this list, it may be time to call in an HVAC specialist and look at options such as dehumidifiers and air purifiers. If you still have questions or would like a quote on comprehensive HVAC services, please contact us today, we’re always happy to help.
