As the winter months approach, your family is going to be enjoying more time inside your home. You want to do everything possible to ensure that your family stays happy and healthy. Enhancing your indoor air quality is a great way to keep your family breathing healthy air all winter long. Here are some tips on how to do this.
Change Your HVAC Air Filter
One of the best ways to ensure that the quality of air inside your home remains fresh is to change out your HVAC air filter. It’s best to check on your filter at least once per month. Or, if you have a 4” filter check it twice a year. Hold the filter up to a light source. If you can’t see through it, it’s time for a replacement. If you have a reusable filter, then you can clean, dry, and return the filter.
Consider Upgrading Your Air Filter
There are different qualities of air filters that you can utilize in your HVAC system. These included fiberglass, pleated, and HEPA. At the budget end of the spectrum is the fiberglass filter, which is relatively cheap.
It’s recommended that most homeowners at least invest in the pleated air filter, which offers decent filtering at an affordable price. If anyone in your family has respiratory problems or severe allergies, you should consider investing in a higher-quality air filter.
Before you invest in a stronger air filter, check with your HVAC professional during a maintenance visit. Finer mesh in an air filter can trap more particulates, but it may also reduce airflow and put more strain on your HVAC unit in some instances.
Get Your Ducts Sealed
Keeping your ducts sealed is a must. Holes in your ductwork can pull in dirt and other airborne debris from the cavities in your walls and floors. When you have a professional seal up your ductwork, it will prevent this unwanted airborne debris from penetrating the air inside of your home. It will also help your system remain more energy-efficient.
Monitor Your Home’s Humidity Level
Humidity can also affect your indoor air quality.Too much humidity can create an opportunity for mold, which releases airborne spores that also affect air quality.
You can actively monitor your home’s relative humidity level and adjust it via a new Carrier Infinity HVAC system. If you have a humid home, you can get a whole-home dehumidifier.
Get Your Indoor Air Tested
One of the most productive steps that you can take to enhance the quality of air inside your home is to get an indoor air test. Any qualified professional HVAC company should be able to perform this test for you. This will alert you of any unwanted indoor pollutants and other toxins that may be present inside your home. Based on the results, the company can help you track down the most likely sources and propose solutions.
Keep Your Home Clean
One of the biggest contributors to poor indoor air quality is inadequate household cleaning. During the winter months, your closed windows create an opportunity for more dust buildup. This is not just from the outside; it is also made from skin cells and lint from carpets and clothing. Without constant fresh air coming into your home, this trapped debris can get worse over time. It’s best to set a regular household cleaning schedule so that you can get rid of excess dust that would otherwise deteriorate your indoor air quality level.
Invest in a Whole-Home Air Filtration System
Another great way to actively enhance the quality of air throughout your home is to invest in the installation of a whole-home air filtration system. This is an addition to the typical HVAC air filter.
Helpful Indoor Air Quality Services
Kahn Air Conditioning Inc. provides quality indoor air services for the entire Northridge, CA area. We can also assist with all of your heating, cooling, ductless, and smart home needs. Call us today to get one of our technicians on the way to you.
