HVAC Expert Reveals Top Indoor Air Quality Errors Homeowners Struggle With
Expert Reveals Indoor Air Quality Do’s and Don’ts
Depending on the season, homeowners will modify their thermostat settings to stay comfortable. Because the weather is pleasant during spring or fall, people can open their windows and rely on their HVAC system less. At the same time, summer and winter can often cause issues for indoor air quality (IAQ) because the temperature extremes require keeping the home sealed up—to keep the cool air in during summer and the heating in winter.
It’s easier to achieve good indoor air quality if you don’t make the same common mistakes that many homeowners fall into. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Chief Operating Officer Cary Reed discussed these errors and how to avoid them.
Not Changing Air Filters Frequently Enough
Replacing your air filters lessens the dust particles and airborne pollutants that lower air quality in your home. For anyone with allergies, forgetting to change air filters regularly could exacerbate sneezing, watery eyes or even result in trips to the doctor. To ensure you’re using the best filter for your unique system and air quality needs, learn the basics about the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value system, commonly shortened to MERV, Reed recommended.
“It’s a fairly straightforward 1 to 20 scale, which means ratings in the middle of that range will often be better home filters,” Reed said. “And, if you haven’t always been on time with filter replacement, I’d suggest duct cleaning service too. Afterward, create a system to remind you when it’s time for air filter replacement”
Overlooking HVAC Maintenance
Overlooking preventive HVAC maintenance is usually homeowners’ first step toward compromising your indoor air quality, Reed added. An annual checkup for your HVAC system makes sure it continues to deliver comfort effectively and helps to prevent major repairs at some point. Besides checking all of the electrical components and coolant levels, tune-ups involve cleaning coils and heating elements that air passes through before moving through the rest of your home. As long as your HVAC system isn’t running properly, dust or moisture continues to build up and eventually will become the starting point for airborne pollutants making it into your home.
Continuing to Use Products that Lower the Quality of the Air Unknowingly
Some homeowners may be shocked to discover that common household products could be harming their health and air quality. There are three ways homeowners might be impacting their indoor air quality without realizing. The first is by always using aggressive cleaners that emit fumes and substances known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). With so many alternatives available, opt for an environmentally friendly cleaner instead, Reed suggested.
“Strongly scented candles are also a common air contaminant,” Reed said. “Despite having nice scents in the home, this is not the best option. I even advise against many air fresheners.”
Another way people pollute their home’s air quality inadvertently is with indoor plants that may trigger allergy symptoms. The Ogren Plant Allergy Scale (OPALS) is a straightforward 1 to 10 scale that is widely used to assess a plant’s potential for creating problems for allergy sufferers.
“There are many choices that are considered great indoor plants like ferns, ivy, fig and yuccas, but these plants can also lead to more allergy symptoms. It’s a good idea to do your research before picking indoor plants,” Reed said.
Overlooking Mold and Humidity Problems
Too much humidity in a home can induce mold and bacteria growth, which in turn may compromise indoor air quality. If you discover a plumbing leak and water is accumulating in the walls or another area of your home, fix it as soon as you can, Reed said. Dampness is often when the growth of mold starts, especially if you live in a warmer part of the country.
When you notice a musty smell in the air, that’s a sign that moisture is trapped in some place. Some homes also encounter issues with either too much or too little moisture in the air, which usually means evening out humidity levels with a humidifier or dehumidifier, Reed added.
Not Opening the Windows When the Weather Is Mild
While it’s certainly more tough to open the windows and let outdoor air in during a cold snap, there is still much of the year when cracking open a few windows to let in some fresh air is helpful. Not only is it beneficial for in-home air quality as a whole, but it can even reduce radon levels. This radioactive gas is emitted as a natural byproduct from soil. In fact, buying a basic detector from a home improvement store is a worthwhile investment, since high radon exposure is linked to roughly 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year, according to the CDC.
To get fresh air into your home when it’s cold outside, take advantage of midday temperature highs to slightly open the windows in rooms and other spaces. In the summer, use early morning air when it’s cooler to refresh your home, Reed suggested.
Not Taking Advantage of Technology and Services that Can Help
Whether your home has “problem air” due to excessive humidity levels, mold, viruses and other airborne contaminants, there are still lots of solutions, detailed the HVAC pro.
Some homeowners turn to germicidal UV light lamps, placing one inside your HVAC system to sterilize bacteria, viruses and other microbes within seconds. Other homeowners benefit most from ventilation systems that replace musty air for fresh air, or whole-home air purifiers that can provide a constant flow of fresh, clean air all year.
“Any air quality expert can also perform IAQ testing to help you fully understand the depth of the issue,” Reed said. “Just as you should keep up with HVAC system maintenance, letting these issues persist only makes them more severe in the future. Thankfully, there are many ways to solve air quality concerns.”
To learn more about how to improve your indoor air quality, visit ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality or request HVAC maintenance today.
