Preserving your home’s air quality is important year-round, but even more so in the winter when you and your family spend more time indoors. Without effective filtration, your air could be contaminated with allergens like dust, hair, and bacteria. If your air quality gets too low, it can leave your family coughing, sneezing, and struggling with congestion. Consider following these few easy tips this winter to improve the quality of your home’s breathing air.
1. Replace Your HVAC Filter
Without fresh air filters, more contaminants will enter your ductwork. Ideally, you should replace your filter every 30 to 90 days, depending on the type you use. While fiberglass varieties may need to be replaced monthly, pleated options can be useful for up to three months. If you live with pets or loved ones with health concerns, replacing your filters more frequently is better. You should also choose more effective filters with better minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) ratings.
2. Use Range Hood and Ventilation Fans
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released from common household aerosols and activities like cooking. Rather than letting these VOCs accumulate, you should ventilate with a range hood to push them outside. Your bathroom fans also help to tackle excessive moisture created by bathing. Fluctuating humidity levels may foster the growth of mold or mildew in dark, damp areas of the house. Wet environments also increase your home’s dust mite population. These microscopic organisms tend to cause uncomfortable allergic reactions like skin rashes and difficulty breathing.
3. Consider Air Filtration System
It’s often not enough to rely solely on your HVAC filter to protect your air quality. Excessive dust in the home, unpleasant odors, and low HVAC efficiency all point to an air quality issue. You can protect your breathing air all year long with a whole-home filtration system. These devices connect directly to your HVAC equipment and will filter the air before it’s circulated. With cleaner air in the home, you’ll have an easier time keeping your living spaces dust-free. You’ll also be able to worry less about pet and seasonal allergies.
4. Monitor Carbon Monoxide
While natural gas furnaces are one of the most popular heating systems, they pose a unique safety risk due to their fuel. Old age and a lack of maintenance could make them susceptible to gas leaks, which can introduce dangerous carbon monoxide into your breathing air. Since this gas is naturally odorless, a chemical compound called mercaptan was added to create a noticeable rotten egg smell. During the winter, be sure to regularly check your detectors and their batteries.
5. Schedule Air Quality Testing
If you or one of your family members experience frequent allergies or respiratory issues when spending long periods of time inside your home, it is a good idea to schedule a professional indoor air quality test. Not only can this service determine what kind of air pollutants are inside your home, but it can also determine if you have a natural gas leak or a radon issue. Your technician can also recommend helpful solutions like a new ventilation system or better HVAC filters.
6. Maintain Your HVAC System
An annual HVAC tune-up can also improve air quality and home efficiency. Air filters work hard to remove most debris from your breathing air. However, some dust and contaminants can still make it through over time and accumulate in your HVAC system. These pollutants worsen your air quality and decrease your furnace’s heating output. Preventative maintenance ensures your system is working properly and helps to improve indoor air quality.
Year-Round Indoor Comfort Team
Come to Honey's Air & Solar in Modesto, CA for a courteous HVAC team and quality service. Our experienced team members follow a strict conduct policy and strive to earn your 100% satisfaction. We’ll conveniently manage all of your paperwork and guarantee the price you agree on is the one you’ll pay. Let our team service your solar, heating, or cooling system. We can maintain your furnace or air conditioner or help you with a new installation. Be sure to keep us in mind if you’re interested in a smart thermostat or dependable air quality services. Call us today to learn more.
