I love the winter. I love the snow, and I love being able to stay inside with a cup of hot tea and a good book for days on end. But as any woman living in an older home knows, there are some things that get old very quickly in wintertime. It’s cold (obviously), there’s endless work to do around the house, and my indoor air quality is terrible due to constantly running heaters!
However, there are some simple things you can do that will help improve your home’s indoor air quality—all without breaking the bank or doing major renovations. In this article we’ll talk about how you can improve your household’s indoor air quality so you can spend more time enjoying it instead of worrying about its effects on your health!
Change the filter regularly.
- Change the filter regularly.
- How to change the filter: Remove it from its housing and replace it with a fresh one, following manufacturer instructions for removing and installing filters.
- When to change the filter: Depending on where you live, this could be every three months or even more frequently. Ask your HVAC service technician for advice on how often you should change your air filters based on your home’s location and use (e.g., if you have pets). The best way to determine if it’s time for a new filter is by checking its MERV rating (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value), which measures how effective an air filter is at trapping particles in the size range of 0-5 microns (about 1/20th of a millimeter). If this number drops below 4 out of 10–or if there are visible signs that show that dust has begun collecting around the edges–it means that it’s time for a replacement!
Ventilate the roof.
Roof ventilation is a great way to improve indoor air quality. Ventilating the roof helps reduce the risk of mold and mildew, which can cause health problems if it grows in your home. It also reduces the risk of ice dams on your roof during winter months by allowing moisture to escape through vents that are installed at various points along the edges of your rooftop. This keeps your HVAC system working efficiently so you don’t have to worry about extra maintenance costs later down the road!
Clean the air ducts.
The first step to improving indoor air quality is cleaning the air ducts. You’ll need a few tools and supplies, but it’s not too difficult to do.
- A vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment that allows you to reach all parts of your heating and cooling system, including inside the vents.
- Disposable gloves for handling any mold or dust that gets dislodged during cleaning (you don’t want to spread it around).
- A damp cloth or paper towels for wiping down surfaces after vacuuming them.
Change the filters in your HVAC unit.
- Change the filters in your HVAC unit.
- When you change your filter, make sure to use the right type of filter for your system. A dirty or damaged air filter can cause more harm than good by allowing dust, pollen and pet dander into the home. It’s also important not to forget about any other parts (like humidifiers) that might need cleaning as well!
Have ducts cleaned professionally.
A professional duct cleaning can be a great way to improve your indoor air quality. Have a professional come out and clean the ducts in your home, but make sure they’re certified by NADCA. Also look for a company that uses HEPA-filtered vacuums, as this will ensure that no particles are left behind when they clean.
The frequency at which you should have your ducts cleaned will depend on how often dust is entering them and how dirty they get over time–you may want to consider having them cleaned every year or two if you live in an area with lots of dust or pollen (like I do).
As far as benefits go, having your HVAC system professionally cleaned can help reduce allergy symptoms by removing mold spores from inside of your HVAC system’s vents.
Install a humidifier or dehumidifier.
Humidifiers and dehumidifiers are two of the best ways to improve indoor air quality. A humidifier is an appliance that adds moisture to the air, while a dehumidifier removes humidity from it. If you live in a dry climate, installing a humidifier will help alleviate symptoms like dry skin and chapped lips; if your home is too humid, installing a dehumidifier will help reduce mold growth and keep furniture from warping.
Before making any changes to your HVAC system or purchasing new appliances for your home–such as a humidifier or dehumidifier–it’s important to consider what kind of climate you live in: if there’s not much difference between winter and summer temperatures where you live (i.e., there aren’t hot summers), then installing either appliance won’t have much effect on indoor air quality!
Improving indoor air quality can be done cheaply and easily with some simple maintenance and upgrades to your HVAC system!
There are many things that you can do to improve the indoor air quality in your home, but most of them require a significant investment of time or money. However, there are some easy things that anyone can do which will make a big difference in how comfortable they feel at home. The first step is regular maintenance on your heating and cooling equipment so that it runs efficiently and doesn’t cause any issues down the road when it comes time for repairs or replacements later on in life (which happens more often than we’d like).
Don’t let poor indoor air quality affect your health and comfort any longer. With our easy and cost-effective tips, you can make a significant difference in your home’s air quality without breaking the bank or doing major renovations. You can enjoy a healthier and more comfortable living environment by maintaining your HVAC system and making simple upgrades. Ready to breathe easier and improve your indoor air quality? Contact Beckwith Heating & Cooling, Inc. for professional guidance and services tailored to your specific needs.
