HVAC Pro Reveals Top Indoor Air Quality Errors Homeowners Commit
Expert Reveals Indoor Air Quality Do’s and Don’ts
Depending on the season, homeowners often modify their thermostat settings to stay comfortable. When the weather is mild at certain times of year, people can open their windows and rely on their HVAC system less. Meanwhile, summer and winter may cause problems for indoor air quality (IAQ) because the more extreme temperatures require keeping the home closed off—to keep the cool air in for summer and keep the cold air out in winter.
You’ll have an easier time securing good indoor air quality if you watch out for common mistakes that many homeowners fall into. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Chief Operating Officer Cary Reed covered several of these errors and what you can do to avoid them.
Not Changing Air Filters Regularly Enough
Replacing your air filters reduces the dust particles and airborne contaminants hiding in your home. For anyone with allergies, forgetting to change air filters consistently could lead to sneezing, watery eyes or even require trips to the doctor. To ensure you’re using the right filter for your particular system and situation, become familiar with the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value ratings system, commonly referred to as MERV, Reed said.
“It’s a fairly straightforward 1 to 20 scale, so ratings in the center of that range are usually the better home filters,” Reed said. “And, if you struggle to stay on top of filter replacement, I’d consider scheduling duct cleaning service too. After that, create a system to remind you when it’s time to swap out your air filter”
Overlooking HVAC Maintenance
Overlooking routine HVAC maintenance is usually homeowners’ first step toward affecting your indoor air quality, Reed added. An annual checkup for your HVAC system makes sure it runs smoothly and helps to lower the risk of needing major repairs down the line. Along with checking electrical connections and coolant levels, tune-ups will also include thoroughly 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 like it should, dust or moisture may accumulate and become the starting point for airborne pollutants making it inside.
Buying Products that Pollute the Air Unknowingly
Some homeowners may be taken by surprise when they discover that many common products could be compromising their health. There are three ways homeowners might be impacting their indoor air quality without realizing. The first is by always using harsh cleaners that release fumes and substances known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). With so many alternatives available, choose a green cleaner instead, Reed suggested.
“Candles are another common air contaminant,” Reed said. “Even if you want a fresh smell in the home, this is not the best option. I even caution against many air fresheners.”
Another way people pollute their home’s air quality unintentionally is with indoor plants that may trigger allergy symptoms. The Ogren Plant Allergy Scale (OPALS) is a simple 1 to 10 scale that is commonly employed to assess a plant’s potential for worsening symptoms for allergy sufferers.
“There are many choices that are considered great indoor plants like ferns, ivy, fig and yuccas, but these plants can also cause more allergy symptoms. It’s always smart to check online before selecting indoor plants,” Reed said.
Neglecting Mold and Moisture Problems
High humidity in a home can induce mold and bacteria growth, which in turn could deteriorate indoor air quality. If you notice a plumbing leak and water is accumulating in the walls or another area of your home, address it as quickly as possible, Reed said. Dampness is often where the growth of mold starts, particularly when you live in a warmer part of the country.
If you keep noticing a musty smell in the air, that’s a sign moisture may be trapped and unable to evaporate. 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 whole-house humidifier or dehumidifier system, Reed added.
Not Taking the Opportunity to Open Windows When Practical
While it’s certainly more difficult to open the windows and let outdoor air in in the worst of a cold snap, there is still much of the year when cracking open a few windows for fresh air is a fast way to refresh stagnant indoor air. Not only does it refresh in-home air quality as a whole, but it will also reduce radon levels. This radioactive gas is naturally emitted from soil. In fact, installing an inexpensive detector to monitor gas levels is a valuable investment, since high radon exposure is responsible for roughly 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually, according to the CDC.
To get fresh air into your home when it’s cold outside, wait until the midday temperature highs to open the windows in rooms and other spaces. And for summer, open them first thing in the morning when it’s cooler to refresh your indoor air, Reed suggested.
Not Taking Advantage of Technology and Services that Can Last
Regardless of whether your home has “problem air” due to excess humidity levels, mold, bacteria and other airborne particles, there are still lots of solutions, explained the HVAC pro.
Homeowners struggling with microorganisms often use germicidal UV light lamps, which are installed inside an HVAC system to sterilize bacteria, viruses and other microbes within seconds. Others use dedicated ventilation systems that exchange musty air for fresh air, or whole-home air purifiers that can assure you enjoy a constant flow of fresh, clean air all year.
“Your local indoor air quality specialists can also perform IAQ testing to help you fully grasp the depth of the problem,” Reed said. “Similar to HVAC system maintenance, ignoring these problems only makes them more severe in the future. Fortunately, there are many ways to address air quality concerns.”
For more ideas on how to enhance your home’s indoor air quality, visit ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality or schedule your HVAC maintenance today.
